ifomia 
Dnal 

ity 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


niYSICAL   EDUCATION 


AND    THE 


PRESERVATION  OE  HEALTH. 


BY  JOHN  C.  jWARREN,  M.  D. 

PBOFESSOR   OF   ANATOMY    AMD   SURGERY   IK    HARVARD 
UNIVERSITY. 


BOSTON: 
\V  I  L  L  I  A  31    D .    T I C  K  N  0 11    &    C  0  ^M  P  A  N  Y 


MDCCC  XLVl. 


Entered  accortiing  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  yenr  1845,  by  William 
D.  TicKNon  &  Co.,  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  tlio  District  Court  of 
the  District  of  Mu^sachusotta. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED  BY  'I'llUKSTON,  TUIUIY  &  CO. 
31  Devonshire  Street. 


PREFACE. 


This  publication  was  originally  a  lecture 

.on  physical  education,  delivered  before  the 

American  Institute  in  1830.     Having  been 

informed,  that  these  remarks  had  an  influ- 

Z  ence  in  directing  the  attention  of  instructors 

7  and  others  to  this  important  subject,  and 

"^  frequent  applications  having  been  made  for 

3  copies,  I  have  thought  it  might  be  useful 

to  republish  it.     Additions  are  now  made 

to  the  original  text,  for  the  purpose  of  more 

c  fully  illustrating  some  of  the  most  impor- 

J  tant  means  of  attaining  and  preserving  a 

o  good  constitution. 


•>i>  15^.1 


ON   THE    IMPORTANCE 

OF 

PHYSICAL    EDUCATION. 


Nature  has  destined  that  the  physical 
and  intellectual  education  of  man  should  be 
conducted  in  very  different  modes.  The 
culture  of  the  mind  requires  the  early,  con- 
stant and  well-directed  efforts  of  an  artificial 
system.  That  of  the  physical  faculties  is 
fully  effected  by  the  powers  of  nature.  All 
that  she  asks,  is,  that  we  would  leave  her 
free  and  unconstrained.  Unhappily,  our 
state  of  civilization,  while  it  has  copiously 
supplied  the  means  of  intellectual  improve- 
ment, has,  nearly  in  the  same  ratio,  raised 
obstacles  to  the  development  of  the  physi- 
cal powers ;  and  if  we  wished  to  restore 
to  these  their  original  spring,  we  should 
either  revert  to  our  primitive  condition,  or 
1* 


b  THE    PRESEllVATION 

find  substitutes  in  art  for  the  modes  em- 
ployed by  nature. 

Considerations  of  this  description  have 
presented  themselves  occasionally,  as  I  have 
been  called  to  observe  the  evils  arising  from 
the  prevalent  systems  of  education,  and 
also  from  too  steady  an  application  to  liter- 
ary pursuits  in  those  whose  education  was 
completed.  At  one  period,  my  attention 
was  directed  to  the  unfavorable  influence 
of  studious  and  sedentary  habits  on  health, 
by  the  occurrence  of  alarming  indisposition 
among  the  members  of  the  sacred  profes- 
sion, a  number  of  whom  became  its  prema- 
ture and  much  lamented  victims.  At  an- 
other, I  witnessed  the  effects  of  a  mistaken 
system,  on  the  constitution  of  multitudes 
of  the  fairest  Avork  of  creative  power.  I 
have  had  the  misfortune  to  behold,  when 
it  was  too  late  to  apply  a  remedy,  rmmer- 
ous  instances  of  decay  in  the  most  vigorous 
constitutions,  and  of  distortion  in  the  best 
proportioned  forms. 

The  importance  of  health  to  the  regular 
exercise  of  the  faculties  of  mind,  as  well 


OF    HEALTH.  7 

as  those  of  body,  is  very  well  understood 
in  theory,  and  very  generally  neglected  in 
practice.  We  are  daily  seen  to  accumulate 
the  treasures  of  science  on  intellects,  where 
the  physical  machinery  is  disordered  and 
made  useless  by  the  burden.  What  is  the 
value  of  a  brilliant  genius,  or  a  highly  cul- 
tivated mind,  to  a  weak  and  laboring  frame  ? 
Let  us  suppose  the  existence  of  such  a  case 
in  cither  of  the  learned  professions.  If  it 
occur  in  the  minister  of  religion,  the  organs 
of  utterance  are  enfeebled,  and  the  power 
of  instructing  his  hearers  is  diminished  or 
destroyed.  The  thoughts  that  should 
speak,  remain  un embodied  in  language, 
and  the  words  that  should  burn,  are  extin- 
guished on  his  lips.  His  usefulness  is 
impaired  at  the  moment  of  its  full  career  ; 
and  even  if  his  days  are  not  cut  off  at  an 
early  period,  he  finds  his  mental  abilities 
prematurely  chained  down  by  bodily  weak- 
ness. 

If  it  happen  in  the  interpreter  of  the  law, 
—  the  powerful  workings  of  the  mind  in 
the  investigation  of  obscure  points,  and  the 


8  THE    PRESERVATION 

elaboration  of  profound  arguments,  break 
down  a  sickly  and  yielding  organization, 
and  bring  on  a  train  of  nervous  affections 
and  perverted  imaginations,  as  permanent 
perhaps  as  life,  and  less  supportable  than 
death. 

Again,  a  bad  constitution  in  a  professor 
of  the  healing  art,  keeps  him  at  variance 
with  all  his  duties.  How  can  he  heal 
others,  in  whom  the  springs  of  health  act 
feebly  and  imperfectly  ?  A  laborious  and 
active  course  of  duty  demands  a  bodily 
vigor  that  can  endure  all  kinds  of  unseason- 
able labor  ;  a  steadiness  of  fibre,  that  can 
bear  without  agitation  the  sufferings  of 
others,  while  attempting  to  relieve  them ; 
and  a  firmness  of  health,  able  to  resist  the 
attacks  of  those  malignant  epidemics,  that 
prostrate  a  whole  community. 

When  we  regard  the  influence  of  a  de- 
bilitated body  on  the  more  delicate  sex,  we 
find  it  not  less  distressing.  A  young  fe- 
male, at  the  age  of  twelve  or  fourteen,  pre- 
sents a  beautiful  figure,  rosy  cheeks,  an 
airy  step,  and  the  fulness  of  life  and  happi- 


OF    HEALTH. 


ncss  in  every  movement.     As  she  advances, 
her  vivacity  naturally  lessens ;  but,  as  if  it 
would  not  be  soon  enough  extinguished,  it 
nnist  be  repressed  by  art.     Tiie  lively  mo- 
tions of  the  body  and  limbs  must  be  check- 
ed, the    spirits  must  be  restrained,   and  a 
sort  of  unnatural  hypocrisy  made  to  conceal 
every  ingenuous  movement.     The  activity 
of  disposition  is  destroyed  ;  by  confniement 
she  loses  the  inclination  for  exercise,  and 
passes  from  her  school  to  a  state  of  listless- 
ncss  at  home,   or  to  frivolous  and  useless 
amusements,  or  perhaps  to  fresh  tasks.     By 
this  regular  repression  of  the  physical  pow- 
ers, their  energy  is  at  last  broken.     Various 
organs  lose  then-  tone  and   their  healthy 
action.     Even  the  most  solid  parts  are  gra- 
dually impaired,  and,  being  unable  to  sup- 
port their  ordinary  burden,  they  sink  under 
its  weight,  and  bring  on  michangeable  de- 
formity.     Perhaps  the  exterior  of  health 
may  remain   a  little  longer,  although  the 
destroying  principle  is  working  in  the  heart. 
Should  she  be  called  on  to  be  a  mother, 
then  comes  the  trial  of  her  strength.     The 


10  THE    PRESERVATION 

fruit,  so  fair  without,  is  found  decayed 
within,  when  scarcely  matured.  Next,  the 
roses  of  the  countenance  wither;  the  limbs 
are  feeble  and  tottering  ;  the  vivacity  is  ex- 
tinguished ;  the  whole  system  undermined, 
and  ready  to  fall  on  the  first  shock.  Of 
what  use  now  are  all  the  finery  of  accom- 
plishment, and  the  rich  stores  of  literature 
and  of  science,  the  fruits  of  so  many  years' 
labor  ?  They  are  all  wasted,  and  perish 
unemployed. 

What  I  have  now  stated  as  the  result  of 
the  mode  of  female  education  in  use  at 
present,  is  not  a  picture  of  the  imagination  ; 
it  is  a  fair  representation  of  what  we  are 
compelled  to  encounter,  in  almost  daily 
experience. 

My  wish  now  is,  to  point  out  some  of 
the  principal  ways  in  which  literary  pur- 
suits may  be  destructive  to  health ;  and 
also  to  show  what  measures  might  be  adopt- 
ed to  prevent  these  pernicious  consequences. 

Action  is  the  object  for  which  organiza- 
tion was  created.  If  the  organs  are  allowed 
to  remain  inactive,  the  channels  of  life  be- 


OF    HEALTH.  11 

come  clogged  ;  and  the  functions  and  even 
the  structure  get  impaired.  Young  animals 
are  filled  with  the  desire  of  motion,  in  or- 
der that  the  fluids  of  the  body  may  be 
forced  rapidly  throngh  their  tubes,  the 
solids  thus  elongated  and  enlarged,  and 
every  part  gradually  and  fully  developed. 

The  immediate  consequences  of  action 
on  the  bodily  frame  are  familiar  and  visible 
to  daily  experience.  Observe  the  sinewy 
arm  of  the  mechanic.  The  muscles  are 
large  and  distinct ;  and  when  put  in  motion, 
they  become  as  hard  as  wood,  and  as  strong 
as  iron.  Notice  those  who  are  accustomed 
to  carry  considerable  weights  on  the  head. 
The  joints  of  the  lower  limbs  are  close-set 
and  unyielding  ;  the  frame  perfectly  erect, 
and  the  attitude  commanding.  In  the  cul- 
tivator of  the  soil,  though  the  form  may  be 
vitiated  by  neglect,  you  may  observe  that 
the  appearance  of  every  part  is  healthful, 
vigorous,  and  well  fitted  for  labor. 

While  all  of  us  are  desirous  of  possessing 
the  excellent  qualities  of  strength,  hardi- 
ness and   beauty,    how   defective  are   our 


12  THE    PKESERVATION 

systems  of  education  in  the  means  of  ac- 
quiring them.  In  the  present  state  of 
civilization,  a  child,  soon  after  it  can  Avalk, 
is  sent  to  school ;  not  so  much  for  the  pur- 
pose of  learning,  as  to  relieve  its  parents 
of  the  trouble  of  superintending  its  early- 
movements.  As  he  grows  older,  the  same 
plan  is  incessantly  pursued  and  improved 
on,  till  a  large  part  of  his  time  is  passed  in 
sedentary  pursuits  and  in  crowded  rooms. 
In  the  short  intervals  of  confinement  at 
school,  the  boy  is  allowed  to  follow  the  bent 
of  his  inclinations,  and  seek  in  play  that 
exercise  which  nature  imperiously  demands. 
The  development  of  his  system,  though  not 
what  it  was  destined  to  be,  is  attained  in  a 
certain  way  ;  and  he  is  exempted  from  some 
of  the  evils,  which  fall  heavily  on  the 
other  sex. 

The  female,  at  an  early  age,  is  discoura- 
ged from  activity,  as  unbecoming  her  sex, 
and  is  taught  to  pass  her  leisure  hours  in  a 
state  of  quietude  at  home.  The  effects  of 
this  habit  have  been  already  spoken  of  in 
general  terms  ;  and  I  would  now  point  out 
some  of  its  results  in  a  specific  maimer. 


OF     HEALTH.  13 

In  the  course  of  my  observations,  I  have 
been  able  to  satisfy  myself  that  about  half 
the  young  females  brought  up  as  they  are 
at  present,  undergo  some  visible  and  obvi- 
ous change  of  structure  ;  and  of  the  remain- 
der, a  large  number  are  the  subjects  of 
great  and  permanent  deviations,  while  not 
a  few  entirely  lose  their  health  from  the 
manner  in  which  they  are  reared.  The 
proportion  of  those  who  fall  under  the  first 
description,  I  have  already  stated.  The 
amount  of  the  two  last,  it  is  impossible  to 
ascertain  with  precision.  I  can  venture  to 
say,  that  it  is  sufficient  to  constitute  a  pow- 
erful claim  on  the  attention  of  those  enga- 
ged in  the  management  of  young  persons. 

The  nature  of  all  the  particular  affections 
and  diseases  thus  induced,  it  would  be  im- 
possible to  describe  in  this  place.  I  shall 
venture  to  direct  your  views  to  the  details 
of  only  one  of  them. 

The  weight  of  the  principal  part  of  the 

body  or  trunk,  the  weight  of  the  neck,  the 

head  and  the   two   upper  extremities,  are 

supported  by  a  single  bony  column,  called 

2 


14  THE    PRESERVATION 

the  spine.  This  column  is  about  three 
inches  in  diameter.  It  consists  of  twenty- 
four  pieces  of  bone  placed  one  on  the  other ; 
and  between  each  two  is  interposed  a  sub- 
stance, somewhat  resembling  caoutchouc 
or  India-rubber,  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
it  elasticity.  This  column  is  hollow,  and 
contains  the  spinal  marrow.  Now  the 
spinal  marrow  is  the  origin  and  source  of 
the  nerves,  that  convey  the  influence  ne- 
cessary to  voluntary  motion  ;  and  they  are 
sent  off  in  pairs  to  the  various  muscles. 
The  bony  pieces  of  the  spine  are  confined 
together  by  many  small  ligaments,  by  the 
elastic  substance  just  spoken  of,  and  by 
numerous  muscles,  affixed,  not  only  to  con- 
nect and  support,  but  also  to  move  them. 

The  bones  of  the  spine,  at  an  early  peri- 
od of  life,  are  themselves  in  part  composed 
of  an  elastic,  cartilaginous  or  gristly  sub- 
stance ;  and  are  always  of  a  porous  and 
sponge-like  texture.  In  consequence  of 
this  kind  of  organization,  the  spinal  column 
possesses  much  elasticity  and  flexibility, 
which  enable   it  to  yield  and  to  move  in 


OF    HEALTH.  16 

different  directions,  and  expose  it  to  receive 
permanent  flexures,  when  there  is  a  deficien- 
cy of  natural  strength  in  its  composing  parts. 

Causes  which  affect  the  health  and  pro- 
duce general  weakness,  operate  powerfully 
on  this  part,  in  consequence  of  the  com- 
plexity of  its  structure,  and  the  great  burden 
it  supports.  When  weakened,  it  gradually 
yields  under  its  weight,  becomes  bent  and 
distorted,  losing  its  natural  curves,  and  ac- 
quiring others,  in  such  directions  as  the 
operation  of  external  causes  tend  to  give 
it  ;  and  these  curves  will  be  proportioned 
in  their  degree  and  in  their  permanence,  to 
the  producing  causes.  If  the  supporting 
part  is  removed  from  its  true  position,  the 
parts  supported  necessarily  follow,  and  thus 
a  distortion  of  the  spine  effects  a  distortion 
of  the  trunk  of  the  body. 

The  change  commonly  begins  at  the  part 
which  supports  the  right  arm.  The  column 
bends  towards  the  right  shoulder,  forms  a 
convexity  on  the  side  Avhere  the  shoulder 
rests,  and  thus  elevates  the  right  higher 
than  the  other.     This  elevation,  or  as  it  is 


16  THE     PRESERVATION 

commonly  called,  growing  out  of  the  shoul- 
der, is  the  first  phenomenon  that  strikes  the 
friends  of  the  patient.  Often  when  observ- 
ed, the  shoulder  has  already  undergone  a 
considerable  change  of  position ;  and  the 
change  is  not  confined  to  the  shoulder,  nor 
to  the  portion  of  spine  immediately  con- 
nected with  it.  On  examination,  it  will 
be  discovered  that  the  curvature  to  the 
right  in  the  upper  part  of  the  column,'  is 
accompanied,  as  a  natural  consequence,  by 
a  bend  of  the  lower  part  to  the  left,  and  a 
correspondent  projection  of  the  left  hip. 
It  is  perfectly  obvious,  that  the  inclination 
of  the  upper  part  of  a  flexible  stick  to  one 
side,  will  leave  the  lower  part  on  the  other  ; 
and  when,  by  this  inclination,  the  vertical 
support  is  lost,  a  disposition  to  yield  at  the 
curving  points  will  continually  increase, 
until  it  be  counteracted  by  some  other 
power.  Thus  it  happens,  then,  that  any 
considerable  projection  of  the  right  shoul- 
der v/ill  be  attended  by  a  correspondent 
projection  of  the  left  hip. 

The  rising  of  the  shoulder  involves  other 


OF    HEALTH.  17 

changes  in  the  osseous  fabric.  For,  as  the 
spinal  bones  support  the  ribs,  when  these 
bones  project,  they  necessarily  push  for- 
wards the  ribs  dependent  on  them.  Tliese 
ribs  form  the  frame  of  the  chest,  and  of 
course  the  right  side  of  the  chest  is  pro- 
jected forwards,  and  causes  a  deformity  in 
the  fore-part  of  the  body.  Nor  do  the 
changes  stop  here.  The  posterior  ends  of 
the  ribs  being  pushed  forwards,  and  the 
anterior  ends  being  confined  to  the  sternum 
or  breast-bone,  the  right  edge  of  the  sternum 
will  be  drawn  forwards,  and  the  left  edge 
consequently  turned  backwards.  The  fore- 
parts of  the  left  ribs  will  be  gradually  forced 
inwards  or  backwards,  and  thus  the  left  side 
of  the  chest  distorted  and  contracted. 

I  am  aware  how  difficult  it  is  to  have  a 
distinct  notion  of  these  intricate  changes  in 
the  human  machinery,  without  an  exami- 
nation of  the  parts  concerned  in  them  ;  but 
it  is  my  duty  to  represent  the  train  of  phe- 
nomena as  they  exist  in  nature  ;  and  I 
think   they  are   sufilcicntly  intelligible   to 

excite  consideration  and  inquiry. 
2* 


18  THE    PRESERVATION 

Perhaps  it  may  be  imagined,  that  the 
cases  I  have  described  are  of  rare  occur- 
rence, that  we  have  no  occasion  to  alarm 
ourselves  about  a  few  strange  distortions, 
the  consequence  of  peculiar  and  accidental 
causes.  If  such  were  in  fact  the  truth,  I 
would  not  have  occupied  your  time  with 
the  minute  detail  of  these  unpleasant  sub- 
jects. Unhappily  they  are  very  common. 
I  feel  warranted  in  the  assertion  already  in- 
timated, that  of  the  well-educated  females 
within  my  sphere  of  experience,  about  07ie 
half  are  affected  with  some  degree  of  dis- 
tortion of  the  spine.  This  statement  will 
not  be  thought  exaggerated,  when  compar- 
ed with  that  of  one  of  the  latest  and  most 
judicious  foreign  writers.  Speaking  of  the 
right,  lateral  curvature  of  the  spine,  just 
described,  he  tells  us,  '  It  is  so  common, 
that  out  of  twenty  young  girls  who  have 
attained  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  there  are 
not  two  who  do  not  present  very  manifest 
traces  of  it.'  * 

*Lachaise,  Sur  les  Courbures  de  la  Coloniie  Verte- 
brale.  p.  23. 


OF     HEALTH,  19 

As  the  bones  serve  to  contain  most  of 
the  great  organs,  any  change  in  their  forms 
will  be  likely  to  produce  changes  in  the 
condition  and  healthy  action  of  these  or- 
gans. The  spine  gives  lodgment,  as  has 
been  said,  to  the  spinal  marrow  ;  and  this 
sends  out  nearly  all  the  nerves  that  carry 
the  influence  of  voluntary  motion,  and 
many  of  those  that  convey  energy  to  the 
great  organs  of  respiration,  circulation  and 
digestion.  When  the  containing  part  is 
distorted,  the  part  contained  is  likely  to  be 
disturbed,  and  this  disturbance  must  pro- 
duce important  efl'ects  on  the  nerves  issuing 
from  it,  and  of  course  on  the  organs  to 
which  these  nerves  are  distributed.  If  the 
compression  be  slight,  the  operations  of  the 
organs  will  be  partially  disturbed.  Hence 
proceed  shortness  of  breath  ;  palpitation 
of  the  heart  ;  the  phenomena  of  indiges- 
tion, flatulence,  acidity,  &c.  These  again 
give  rise  to  the  uncomfortable  feelings  call- 
ed nervous  ;  though  I  believe  they  are 
sometimes  the  direct  consequence  of  partial 
compression  of  the  spinal  marrow.     AVhen 


20  THE    PRESERVATION 

this  pressure  is  considerable,  the  bad  con- 
sequences are  more  obvious  and  formidable. 
In  such  instances,  the  muscles  supplied 
with  nerves  from  the  part  below  that  com- 
pressed, lose  their  activity.  The  circula- 
tion in  the  lower  limbs  is  retarded,  and 
they  grow  cold  and  livid,  and  swell.  Some- 
times even  a  complete  paralysis,  or  loss  of 
the  power  of  motion,  occurs  in  one  or  in 
both  of  these  extremities. 

The  ribs  and  the  breast-bone  enclose 
and  guard,  as  we  have  said,  the  organs  of 
the  chest.  Their  position  being  altered  by 
the  deviation  of  the  spine,  the  cavity  they 
form  becomes  deranged.  Its  left  part, 
where  the  heart  is  placed,  being  diminished 
in  extent,  this  organ  is  embarrassed  in  its 
movements,  and  striving  to  relieve  itself, 
produces  painful  and  dangerous  palpitations, 
and  a  general  disturbance  in  the  circulatory 
system.  The  lungs,  for  the  same  reasons, 
cannot  fully  expand  in  the  effort  of  inspi- 
ration. This  function  is  partially  perform- 
ed, and  the  blood  imperfectly  oxygenated 
—  an   irregularity   of    itself    sufficient   to 


OF     IIP-ALTir.  21 

bring  on  a  low  state  of  health,  and  a  dis- 
position to  disease. 

The  want  of  conformity  between  these 
organs  and  the  bones  they  are  in  contact 
M'ith,  causing  interference  between  the 
parts,  an  irritable  condition  of  the  kings 
may  be  engendered,  disposing  to  acute 
inflammation,  or  to  the  slow  development 
of  chronic  disease. 

Having  given  some  notion  of  the  nature 
of  the  affections  brought  on  by  mistakes 
during  the  time  of  education,  I  shall  advert 
now  to  their  causes. 

The  general  causes  of  these  derange- 
ments are  those  things  that  weaken  the 
constitution.  They  may  be  physical  or 
mental.  Among  the  most  important  phy- 
sical causes,  are  want  of  the  exercise  proper 
to  develope  the  powers  of  the  body,  the 
taking  of  food,  improper  in  quantity  or 
quality,  and  many  other  causes  of  inferior 
importance.  The  mental  causes  may  be  a 
too  constant  occupation  of  the  mind  in 
study  ;  the  influence  of  feelings  or  passions 
of  a  depressing  nature,  &c. 


22  THE    PRESERVATION 

The  facts,  that  show  the  want  of  exer- 
cise to  be  one  of  the  greatest  causes  of 
these  affections  and  of  the  weakness  that 
induces  them,  are  very  numerous.  On  the 
one  side,  we  observe  that  young  people 
brought  up  to  hardy  and  laborious  occupa- 
tions, whether  they  are  males  or  females, 
do  not  suffer  in  this  way.  The  sons  and 
daughters  of  farmers  and  laborers,  for  ex- 
ample, never  exhibit  the  deformities  spoken 
of,  except  in  cases  where  there  is  a  great 
scrofulous  defect,  by  inheritance. 

A  still  more  remarkable  fact  of  a  general 
nature  may  be  seen  on  a  comparison  in  this 
respect  between  the  two  sexes.  The  lateral 
distortion  of  the  spine  is  almost  wholly 
confined  to  females,  and  is  scarcely  ever 
found  existing  in  the  other  sex.  The  pro- 
portion of  the  former  to  the  latter  is  at  least 
nine  to  one.  In  truth,  I  may  say  that  I 
have  rarely  witnessed  a  remarkable  distor- 
tion, of  the  kind  now  spoken  of,  in  a  boy. 
What  is  the  cause  of  the  disparity  ?  They 
are  equally  well  formed  by  nature  ;  or  if 
there  be  any  difference,  the  symmetry  of 


OF    HEALTH.  23 

all  parts  is  more  perfect  in  the  female  than 
in  the  male.  The  difference  in  physical 
organization  rcsnlts  from  a  dillerence  of 
habits  depending  upon  school  education. 
It  is  not  seen  till  after  this  process  is  ad- 
vanced. The  girl,  when  she  goes  from 
school,  is,  as  we  have  before  said,  expected 
to  go  home  and  remain,  at  least  a  large 
part  of  the  time,  confined  to  the  house. 
As  soon  as  the  boy  is  released,  he  begins 
to  run  and  jump,  and  frolic  in  the  open  air, 
and  continues  his  sports  till  hunger  draws 
him  to  his  food.  The  result  is,  that  in 
him  all  the  organs  get  invigorated,  and  the 
bones  of  course  become  solid  ;  while  a 
defect  exists  in  the  other  sex,  proportionate 
to  the  want  of  physical  motion. 

A  question  may  fairly  be  asked  why 
these  evils  are  apparently  greater  now  than 
formerly,  when  females  were  equally  con- 
fined ?  The  answer,  in  reference  to  the 
young  females  of  our  country,  is,  that  they 
then  took  a  considerable  share  in  the  labo- 
rious part  of  the  domestic  duties ;  now, 
they  are  devoted  to  literary  occupations,  of 


24  THE    PRESERVATION 

a  nature  to  confine  the  body  and  require 
considerable  efforts  of  the  mind. 

I  shall  not,  in  this  place,  say  anything  of 
the  second  of  the  physical  causes  of  weak- 
ness, spoken  of,  as  it  will  be  adverted  to 
hereafter.  The  next  of  these  causes,  which 
presents  itself  to  our  view,  is  of  a  moral 
nature  ;  —  the  influence  of  too  great  occu- 
pation of  the  mind  in  study,  and  that  of 
feelings  and  passions  of  a  depressing  nature. 

The  operation  of  mental  causes  on  the 
bodily  frame  is  not  unknown  to  any  of  us  ; 
though  they  may  not  perhaps  have  been 
thought,  in  regard  to  education,  to  be  of 
very  great  importance.  As  it  is  not  in  my 
power  to  enter  fully  into  the  subject,  I 
would  barely  present  it  for  your  considera- 
tion. 

The  effect  of  anxiety,  grief,  and  other 
feelings,  in  diminishing  strength  and  wear- 
ing away  health,  are  quite  familiar.  The 
loss  of  property  and  of  friends,  has  been 
known  to  bring  on  diseases;  and  it  has 
sometimes  happened,  that  an  agreeable  re- 
verse or  a  favorable  incident  has  speedily 


OF     HEALTH.  25 

removed  them.  Confidence  in  a  physician 
is  a  great  help  towards  receiving  benefit 
from  his  prescriptions  ;  and  many  of  the 
cures  wrought  by  empirical  or  quack  medi- 
cines, are  to  be  attributed  rather  to  the  op- 
eration of  the  mind,  than  to  the  action  of 
the  medicines  on  the  disease. 

Tlie  production  of  physical  changes  in  a 
sudden  and  sensible  way,  by  the  action  of 
moral  causes,  is  comparatively  rare,  and 
very  dilhcult  to  comprehend.  Yet  medical 
men  do  sometimes  have  an  opportunity  of 
observing  changes  effected  by  this  power, 
which  might  appear  incredible,  and  almost 
miraculous,  to  those  not  aware  of  the  force 
of  mental  operations  on  the  human  organs. 
I  could  adduce  many  such  cases.  Perhaps 
it  will  be  proper  to  state  one  or  two  in  de- 
tail. 

When,  some  years  ago,  the  metallic  tract- 
ors were  in  the  height  of  their  reputa- 
tion for  the  cure  of  diseases  by  external 
application  to  the  part  affected,  the  follow- 
ing experiment  was  performed  by  Dr.  Ilay- 
garth,  of  Bath.  Two  tractors  were  prepared, 
3 


26  THE     PRKSERVATION 

not  of  metal,  but  of  a  substance  different 
from  the  genuine  tractors,  and  made  to 
resemble  them.  Thr-se  were  applied,  in 
a  number  of  instances,  with  all  the  good 
effects  of  the  real  tractors.  Among  other 
remarkable  cures  was  that  of  a  person  with 
a  contraction  of  the  knee  joint,  from  a  dis- 
ease of  six  months'  duration.  After  a  few 
minutes'  application,  this  man  was  directed 
to  use  his  limb,  and,  to  the  surprise  of  all 
present,  he  was  able  to  walk  about  the 
room.  Snch  instances  are  not  very  unusual. 
Many  empirics  succeed  by  calling  into 
action  the  same  principle.  The  patient, 
after  a  number  of  manipulations  of  the 
part  affected,  is  directed  to  make  use  of  his 
limb ;  and  though  this  call  on  his  imagina- 
tion does  not  infallibly  succeed,  it  is  not 
wonderful  that  it  occasionally  does  so. 

I  will  relate  another  case  of  this  kind. 
Some  time  since,  a  female  presented  herself 
to  me,  with  a  tumor,  or  swelling  of  the  sub- 
maxillary gland  of  the  neck,  which  had 
become  what  is  commonly  called  a  wen. 
It  was  about  the  size  of  an  egg,  had  lasted 


OF  hi:ai/ii[.  27 

two  years,  and  was  so  veiy  hard,  that  I 
considered  any  attempt  to  dissipate  it  by 
medicine  to  be  vain,  and  advised  its  removal 
by  an  operation.  To  this  the  patient  could 
not  bring  her  mind  ;  tlierefore,  to  satisfy  her 
M'ish,  I  directed  some  applications  of  con- 
siderable activity  to  be  made  to  the  part, 
and  these  she  pursued  a  number  of  weeks, 
witliout  any  change.  After  this,  she  called 
on  me,  and,  with  some  hesitation,  begged 
to  know,  whether  an  application  recom- 
mended to  her  would  in  my  opinion  be 
safe.  This  consisted  in  applying  the  hand 
of  a  dead  man  three  times  to  the  diseased 
part.  One  of  her  neighbors  now  lay  dead, 
and  she  had  an  opportunity  of  trying  the 
experiment,  if  thought  not  dangerous.  At 
first,  I  was  disposed  to  divert  her  from  it  ; 
but,  recollecting  the  power  of  the  imagina- 
tion, I  gravely  assured  her  she  might  make 
the  trial  without  apprehension  of  serious 
consecpiences.  A  while  after,  she  presented 
herself  once  more,  and,  with  a  smiling 
countenance,  informed  me  she  had  used 
this  remedy  and  no  other  since  I  saw  her  ,• 


28  THE    PRESERVATION 

and,  on  examining  for  the  tumor,  I  found 
it  had  disappeared. 

The  possibility  of  operating  powerfully 
on  the  corporeal  organization  by  moral 
causes  being  established,  it  is  clear  that  the 
long  exertion  of  intellectual  efforts,  and 
still  more  the  frequent  action  of  depressing 
passions,  may,  and  even  must,  have  a  great 
influence  on  the  condition  of  the  body,  at 
the  flexible  period  when  education  and 
growth  are  going  on  together. — A  close 
and  constant  occupation  of  mind,  too  long 
continued,  lessens  the  action  of  the  heart ; 
and  a  languid  circulation,  thus  being  in- 
duced, prevents  the  full  growth  of  the  body. 
Depressing  passions  act  more  conspicuous- 
ly. You  may  possibly  have  noticed,  though 
the  case  is  rare  in  this  country,  the  condi- 
tion of  children  subjected  to  a  persevering 
system  of  harshness  at  home.  They  are 
pale  and  shrivelled,  and  their  growth  is 
checked. 

In  the  present  modes  of  education,  great 
pains  are  taken  to  excite  the  imagination 
by  competition.    These  efforts  are  attended 


OF     IIF.AI/ni. 


29 


with  but  too  much  success  iu  susceptible 
miuds.  An  anxiety  to  excel  becomes  the 
predominant  passion.  The  health,  the 
sports,  and  too  often  the  friendships  of 
youth  are  sacrificed  to  the  desire  of  surpass- 
ing those  around.  When  this  becomes  an 
all-absorbing  passion,  the  result  is  most  un- 
friendly to  physical  organization  ;  and  a 
multitude  of  fine  constitutions  are  ruhied 
by  it,  in  both  sexes. 

Whether  any  proper  substitute  can  be 
found,  in  our  sex,  for  competition  and  rival- 
ry, I  must  leave  to  others  to  decide.  So  far 
as  my  experience  extends,  I  should  give  an 
affirmative  answer ;  and  while  1  do  not 
pretend  to  be  a  very  competent  judge  in 
the  case,  it  is  fair  to  say,  that  the  habit  of 
giving  public  instructions  for  more  than 
twenty  years,  has  afforded  me  some  con- 
clusions of  a  satisfactory  nature. 

The  application  of  the  system  of  rivalry 
to  the  softer  sex,  I  speak  with  submission 
to  greater  experience,  appears  to  me  fraught 
with  mischief.  It  inflames  the  imagination, 
festers  the  passions,  and  poisons  the  ha})pi- 
3* 


30  THE    PRESERVATION 

ness  of  the  brightest  days  of  life  ;  and 
since  the  very  highest  grade  of  literary 
acquirement  is  not  essential  to  the  duties  of 
the  sex,  it  seems  as  unnecessary  as  it  is 
pernicious. 

I  have  just  made  a  question  whether 
there  is  a  substitute,  which  is  sufficiently 
practical  to  be  of  general  use.  I  do  not 
know  that  there  is  ;  and  if  none  exists,  I 
think  the  ingenuity  and  intelligence  of  in- 
structors could  not  be  employed  on  a  more 
important  subject,  than  in  devising  such 
substitute.  The  spirit  of  improvement  has, 
I  imagine,  already  discovered  that  the  rea- 
soning process  may  be  generally  employed 
with  great  success  in  the  instruction  of 
young  persons.  I  know  individuals,  who 
use  it  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  with 
the  most  happy  results.  They  endeavor 
to  enforce  on  their  pupils  the  doctrine  that 
the  path  of  duty  is  the  most  easy,  and  most 
for  the  interest  of  the  individual  to  pursue. 
They  do  this  by  conversation  and  by  argu- 
ment ;  and  the  process  succeeds  with  those 
who  are  capable  of  being  influenced  in  any 


OF     HEALTH.  31 

way,  — and  why  should  it  not  ?  Children 
of  the  earliest  age  are  capable  of  feeling 
the  force  of  reason  ;  and  I  believe  it  will 
generally  be  found  that  they  are  under  the 
power  of  their  parents,  rather  in  proportion 
to  the  employment  of  this  agent,  than  to 
that  of  the  rod  or  any  other  compulsory 
means.  If  they  understand  reason,  at  so 
early  a  period,  surely  they  cannot  lose  their 
susceptibility  to  it,  at  one  more  advanced. 
There  are,  I  know,  minds,  on  which  the 
powers  of  language  make  no  impression, 
and  all  the  weapons  of  argument  fall  as  if 
pointless.  But  these  are  to  be  considered 
as  exceptions  to  general  laws  —  cases  in 
which  all  the  means  of  severity  and  kind- 
ness equally  fail.  They  should  not  cause 
discoiu-agement.  Patience  is  the  everlast- 
ins;  motto  of  the  instructer.  With  it  he 
performs  wonders  —  without  it  he  can  do 
nothins:. 

The  remarks  made  above,  will  give  some 
notion  of  the  most  important  of  what  I 
conceive  to  be  general  causes  of  ill  health 
and  imperfect  growth,  during  the  educating 
process. 


32  THE     PIIKSKRVATION 

It  may  not  be  useless  to  say  a  few  words 
on  some  of  the  immediate  causes  of  spinal 
distortion,  which  may  be  called  local,  in 
opposition  to  the  former. 

The  most  obvious  of  the  local  causes  are 
bad  postures  of  the  body  and  limbs.  The 
habit  of  bending  the  neck,  while  writing 
or  drawing,  gradually  compresses  the  ver- 
tebraj,  and  the  intervertebral  substance  on 
their  anterior  part,  and  causes  a  permanent 
change  in  the  form  of  this  part  of  the  spinal 
column.  This  distortion  is  so  very  com- 
mon among  us,  that  we  are  apt  to  consider 
it  a  natural  formation.  In  fact,  however, 
it  is  entirely  artificial  in  a  great  number 
of  instances.  Sometimes  it  is  the  conse- 
quence of  negligence,  and  not  unfrequently 
of  timidity.  Whether  it  tends  to  impair 
the  health,  always,  I  will  not  say  —  that  it 
sometimes  does  so,  I  am  certain  ;  and  its 
effect  in  deforming  the  shape  is  even  greater 
than  a  moderate  degree  of  lateral  curve. 

The  immediate  cause  of  the  lateral  curve 
of  the  spine  to  the  right,  opposite  to  the 
right  shoulder,  is  the  elevation  and  action 


OF    HEALTH.  33 

of  the  right  arm  in  drawing  and  writing. 
Tliis  postnrp  pulls  the  part  of  the  spinal 
column  to  which  the  muscles  of  the  right 
arm  are  fixed,  to  the  right  side.  The  con- 
vexity of  the  spine  thus  produced  keeps  the 
right  shoulder  elevated,  and  the  left  conse- 
quently depressed.  The  lower  part  of  the 
column  is  thrown  to  the  left  side  ;  and  this 
displacement  being  favored  by  the  disposi- 
tion to  rest  on  the  left  foot,  while  standing 
to  speak  or  read,  there  comes  to  be  a  per- 
manent projection  of  the  left  hip.  The 
postures  employed  in  practising  on  some 
musical  instruments,  sometimes  bring  on 
these  distortions  ;  as  for  example,  a  great 
use  of  the  harp  favors  the  disposition  to 
lateral  curvature,  from  the  constant  exten- 
sion of  the  right  arm.* 

*  For  many  years  I  have  in  my  anatomical  lectures 
been  in  tlie  habit  of  recommemling,  that  children  should 
be  taught  by  their  parents  to  use  the  left  hand  equally 
with  the  right.  Tliis  habit  will  in  a  great  number  of  in- 
stances prevent  the  occurrence  of  the  distortion  mentioned 
in  the  text,  and  preserve  the  lateral  symmetry  of  the  body. 
It  would  also  give  a  valuable  resource  in  case  of  those 
injuries,  which  in  everyone  temporarily,  and  in  some  per- 
manently, impair  the  use  of  the  right  arm. 


34  THE    PRESERVATION 

Having  adverted  to  tlie  nature  and  the 
causes  of  some  of  the  defects  that  arise  from 
want  of  attention  to  physical  education,  I 
shall  now  throw  out  some  hints,  as  to  the 
modes  iti  which  it  may  be  improved. 

Nature,  as  we  have  before  said,  if  left  to 
herself,  is  all-sufficient  to  the  development 
of  physical  organization.  But  we  live  in 
an  artificial  state  — a  state  that  continually 
thwarts  the  course  of  the  native  dispositions 
of  the  animal  economy ;  and  as  we  must 
abandon  the  advantages  of  these,  we  must 
seek  for  substitutes  in  an  artificial  process. 

The  principles  which  should  form  the 
basis  of  such  a  process,  will  readily  be  seen, 
on  attending  to  the  nature  and  the  causes 
of  these  defects.  We  shall  observe  that 
the  remedy,  or  rather  the  preventive  means, 
lies  in  a  certain  regulation  of  the  sentiments 
and  passions  and  intellectual  operations  : 
in  promoting  bodily  activity;  in  a  salutary 
regimen,  and  in  some  other  inferior  consid- 
erations. In  regard  to  the  first  of  these, 
that  is,  to  what  relates  to  the  mind,  I  have 
already  said  all  I  intend  at  this  time  ;  and 
I  shall  now  advert  to  the  others. 


OF    HEALTH.  35 

Towards  a  perfect,  system  of  education, 
it  is  necessary  there  should  be  a  balance 
preserved  between  physical  and  intellectual 
cultivation.  When  the  mind  is  closely  oc- 
cupied, the  body  should  be  carefully  guard- 
ed. If  the  pursuits  of  the  former  are  severe 
and  absorbing,  those  of  the  latter  should  be 
cheerful  and  relaxing.  Instead,  then,  of 
abandoning  the  physical  to  the  intellectual 
culture,  it  should  be  increased  in  the  same 
ratio,  and  followed  with  the  same  earnest- 
ness. 

Exercise  is  so  material  to  physical  edu- 
cation, that  it  has  sometimes  been  used 
synonymously,  though  it  really  constitutes 
only  a  part  of  it.  In  ordeK  that  exercise 
may  have  its  due  operation,  it  must  begin 
at  the  earliest  period  of  life,  and  of  course, 
the  parent  must,  in  this,  act  the  part  of  in- 
structer.  He  must  take  pains  to  have  the 
infant  carried  into  the  air,  every  day,  and 
in  every  season  ;  for,  whatever  may  be  the 
dangers  of  such  a  course,  they  are  in  the 
end  less  than  those  incident  to  the  acci- 
dental exposures  of  a  delicate  constitution. 


36  THE    PUESERVATION 

111  the  earlier  years,  the  dress  should  be 
arranged  so  as  to  allow  that  use  of  the  body 
and  Umbs,  to  which  nature  prompts,  with 
freedom,  and  without  impropriety.  When 
children  are  sent  to  school,  care  should  be 
taken  that  they  are  not  confined  too  long. 
Children  under  fourteen  should  not  be  kept 
in  school  more  than  six  or  seven  hours  a 
day  ;  and  this  period  should  be  shortened 
for  females.  It  is  expedient  that  it  should 
be  broken  into  many  parts  ;  so  as  to  avoid 
a  long  confinement  at  one  time.  Young 
persons,  however  well  disposed,  cannot  sup- 
port a  restriction  to  one  place  and  one  pos- 
ture. Nature  resists  such  restrictions  ;  and 
if  enforced,  they  are  apt  to  create  disgust 
with  the  means  and  the  object.  Thus  chil- 
dren learn  to  hate  studies  that  might  be 
rendered  agreeable,  and  they  take  an  aver- 
sion to  instructers,  who  would  otherwise 
be  interesting  to  them. 

The  postures  tliey  assume  while  seated 
at  their  studies,  are  not  indifferent.  They 
should  be  frequently  warned  against  the 
practice  of  maintaining  the  head  and  neck 


OF     HEALTH.  37 

long  in  a  stooping  position  ;  and  the  dispo- 
sition to  it  should  be  lessened  by  giving  a 
proper  elevation  and  slope  to  the  desk  ;  and 
the  seat  should  have  a  support  or  back  of  a 
few  inches,  at  its  edge.  The  arms  must  be 
kept  on  the  same  level  ;  and  there  should 
be  room  to  support  them  equally,  or  the 
right  will  be  apt  to  rise  above  the  left,  from 
its  constant  use  and  elevation.  A  standing 
posture  in  writing  and  studying,  is  not  com- 
mendable for  young  persons.  The  secret 
of  posture  consists  in  avoiding  all  bad  posi- 
tions, and  avoiding  all  positions  long  con- 
tinued. 

The  ordinary  carriage  of  the  body  in 
walking  should  be  an  object  of  attention  to 
every  instructer.  How  different  are  the  im- 
pressions made  on  us  by  a  man,  whose 
attitude  is  erect  and  commanding,  and  by 
one  who  walks  with  his  face  directed  to 
the  earth,  as  if  fearful  of  encountering  the 
glances  of  those  he  meets  !  Such  attentions 
are  even  of  great  importance  to  the  fairer 
sex,  where  we  naturally  look  for  attraction 
in  some  form  or  shape.  If  nature  has  not 
given  beauty  of  face  to  all,  she  has  given 
4 


38  THE    PRESERVATION 

the  power  of  acquiring  a  graceful  movement 
and  upright  form  —  qualities  more  valua- 
ble and  more  durable  than  the  other.  These 
qualities  are  lost  or  gained  at  school  ;  and 
of  course  they  lie,  to  some  extent,  within 
the  control  of  the  instructer.  It  seems  to 
me  it  would  afford  a  great  addition  of  satis- 
faction to  the  superintendent  and  guardian 
of  the  rising  population,  to  be  able  to  send 
out  to  the  world  his  annual  recruits,  not 
only  well  imbued  with  knowledge  and  vir- 
tue, but  also  endowed  with  a  handsome 
form  and  graceful  manners. 

The  influence  of  an  upright  form  and 
open  breast  on  the  health,  has  been,  I  think, 
sufhciently  explained  ;  and  what  may  be 
done  to  acquire  these  qualities,  is  shown  by 
many  remarkable  facts,  one  of  which  I  will 
mention.  For  a  great  number  of  years,  it 
has  been  the  custom  in  France,  to  give  to 
young  females  of  the  earliest  age,  the  habit 
of  holding  back  the  shoulders,  and  thus  ex- 
panding the  chest.  From  the  observations 
of  anatomists  lately  made,  it  appears  that 
the  clavicle,  or  collar  bone,  is  actually  longer 
in  females  of  the  French  nation  than  in 


OF    HEAI.TII.  39 

those  of  the  English,  although  the  latter  are 
the  best  formed  people.  As  the  two  nations 
are  of  the  same  race,  as  there  is  no  other 
remarkable  dillerence  in  their  bones,  and 
this  is  peculiar  to  the  sex,  it  must  be  attrib- 
uted, as  I  believe,  to  the  habit  abovemen- 
tioned,  which,  by  the  extension  of  the  arms, 
has  gradually  produced  a  national  elonga- 
tion of  this  bone.  Thus  we  see  that  habit 
may  be  employed  to  alter  and  improve  the 
solid  bones.  The  French  have  succeeded 
in  the  development  of  a  part,  in  a  way  that 
adds  to  health  and  beauty,  and  increases  a 
characteristic  that  distinguishes  the  human 
being  from  the  brute. 

As  young  persons  advance  in  age,  and  as 
the  disposition  to  motion  naturally  dimin- 
ishes, it  becomes  important  to  encourage 
and  provide  for  it,  especially  in  females, 
and  in  young  men  of  studious  character. 
Instead  of  restraining  their  movements,  and 
blaming  the  disposition  to  frolic,  they  should 
be  allowed  and  advised  to  it,  at  proper  times, 
and  in  becoming  modes. 

Next  to  walking  in  the  open  air,  the  best 
exercise   for  a  young    female   is  dancing. 


40  THE    PRESERVATION 

This  brings  into  action  a  large  part  of  the 
muscles  of  the  body  and  lower  limbs,  and 
gives  them  grace  and  power.  The  mode 
in  which  I  wish  to  recommend  its  use,  is 
not  in  balls  and  crowded  assemblies,  but  at 
home,  alone,  or  with  two  or  three  friends, 
or  in  the  domestic  circle.  As  this  practice 
does  not  give  motion  to  the  upper  limbs, 
and  as  the  exercising  them  is  too  apt  to  be 
neglected,  it  is  important  to  provide  the 
means  of  bringing  them  into  action,  as  well 
to  develope  their  own  powers,  as  to  enlarge 
and  invigorate  the  chest,  with  which  they 
are  connected,  and  which  they  powerfully 
influence.  The  best  I  know  of  is  the  use 
of  the  triangle.*  This  admirably  exerts 
the  upper  limbs  and  the  muscles  of  the 
chest,  and,  indeed,  when  adroitly  employed, 
those  of  the  whole  body.  The  plays  at  ball 
with  both  hands,  and  that  of  dumb  bells, 
are  useful.     The  parallel  bars  afford  a  very 

*  The  triangle  is  made  of  a  stick  of  walnut  wood,  four 
feet  long,  an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter.  To  each  end 
is  connected  a  rope,  the  opposite  extremities  of  which 
being  confined  together,  are  secured  to  the  ceiling  of  a 
room,  at  such  height  as  to  allow  the  motion  of  swinging  by 
the  hands. 


OF     IIFALTII.  41 

fine  exercise  for  the  muscles  of  the  body 
and  upper  hmbs.  Battledoor  I  should  re- 
commend to  be  played  with  the  left  hand 
as  well  as  the  right,  a  habit,  like  all  others, 
acquired  by  due  practice.  While  I  partic- 
ularly mention  these,  I  should  advise  as 
great  a  diversity  as  possible,  in  exercise  and 
amusement ;  so  that,  wlien  the  mind  or  the 
muscles  get  fatigued  Avith  one,  they  may 
take  up  another  with  fresh  ardor.  Every 
seminary  of  young  persons  should  be  pro- 
vided with  the  instruments  for  these  exer- 
cises. They  are  not  expensive,  occupy 
but  little  room,  and  are  of  unspeakable  im- 
portance. 

While  active  exercises  should  occupy 
time  sufficient  to  excite  the  circulation,  and 
gently  to  agitate  the  organs,  there  must  also 
be  an  occasional  relaxation.  At  proper  in- 
tervals, the  whole  muscular  apparatus  should 
be  allowed  to  repose.  I  do  not  mean  that 
the  young  lady  should  sleep  during  the  day  ; 
but  I  wish  to  advise  a  graceful  attitude  on 
a  couch  or  sofa,  as  a  necessary  alternation 
to  muscular  or  mental  eflort. 

The  remarks  last  made  have  reference 
4# 


42  THE     PRESERVATION 

principally  to  the  exercises  of  young  ladies, 
who  are  more  likely  to  suffer  in  this  respect, 
in  our  plans  of  education,  than  the  other 
sex. 

The  necessity  of  cultivating  the  physical 
powers  in  young  men,  is  sufficiently  under- 
stood. The  establishment  of  gymnasia 
through  the  country,  promised,  at  one 
period,  the  opening  of  a  new  era  in  physical 
education.  The  exercises  were  pursued 
with  ardor,  so  long  as  their  novelty  lasted  ; 
but,  owing  to  not  understanding  their  im- 
portance, or  some  defect  in  the  institutions 
which  adopted  them,  they  have  gradually 
been  neglected  and  forgotten,  at  least  in 
our  vicinity.  The  benefits  which  resulted 
from  these  institutions,  within  my  personal 
knowledge  and  experience,  far  transcended 
the  most  sanguine  expectations.  I  have 
known  many  instances  of  protracted  and 
distressing  affections  wholly  removed ;  of 
weakly  organized  forms  unfolded  and  in- 
vigorated, and  of  the  attainment  of  extraor- 
dinary degrees  of  muscular  energy  and  elas- 
ticity in  persons  in  health. 

The  diversions  of  the  gymnasium  should 


OF      HF.ALTII.  43 

constitute  a  regular  part  of  the  duties  of  all 
our  colleges  and  seminaries  of  learning; 
and,  to  give  them  the  requisite  power  of 
excitement,  the  system  of  rewards,  so  dan- 
gerous when  mismanaged  in  literary  educa- 
tion, might  be  introduced  without  any  ill 
effect.*  Our  young  men  may  surely  find 
time  to  cultivate  those  exercises,  which 
Cicero  and  Cossar,  and  some  of  the  most 
studious  among  the  ancient  and  modern 
philosophers,  considered  necessary,  and 
contrived  to  prosecute  in  the  midst  of  their 
studies  and  affairs.f 

*  I  have  known  many  instances  of  great  increase  of 
muscular  vigor,  and  of  tiie  general  health  by  the  regular 
use  of  gymnastic  exercises,  even  at  an  advanced  period 
of  life.  Among  these  I  might  refer  to  a  distinguished 
member  of  the  legal  profession,  who  first  began  the 
practice  of  gymnastics  when  nearly  seventy  years  old. 
He  acquired  great  additional  vigor,  lived  to  the  age  of 
eighty-four,  in  habits  of  constant  activity,  and  died  at 
this  period  in  the  most  easy  and  tranquil  manner. 

t  Cicero  is  described  by  Plutarch,  as  being,  at  one 
period  of  his  life,  extremely  lean  and  slender,  and 
having  such  a  weakness  in  his  stomach,  that  he  could 
eat  but  little,  and  that  not  till  late  in  the  evening.  He 
travelled  to  Athens,  however,  for  the  recovery  of  his 
health,  where  his  body  was  so  strengthened  by  gym- 
nastic exercises,  as  to  become  firm  and  robust ;  and  his 


44  THE    PRESERVATION 

If  the  gymnasium  is  deserted  because  it 
calls  for  too  much  effort,  let  me  intreat 
them  at  least  to  adopt  a  regular  plan  of 
walking.  Two  hours  a  day  must  be  de- 
voted to  this  business  without  relaxation, 
unless  they  are  willing  to  carry  the  mark 
of  disorder  in  the  face  while  young,  and  a 
dyspeptic,  nervous,  disabled  frame  through 
that  part  of  life,  which  especially  requires 
health  and  activity. 

I  have  often  been  asked,  how  it  is  the 
German  literati  preserve  their  health  with- 
out exercise.  Some  of  them  are  known  to 
pass  most  of  their  time  in  study,  and  think 
not  of  wasting  their  precious  moments  in 
taking  care  of  their  bodies.  To  this  I  reply  ; 
first,  that  they  are  careful  to  acquire  a  good 

voice,  wliicli  had  been  harsh,  was  tlioroughly  formed, 
and  rendered  sweet,  full,  and  sonorous. 

In  regard  to  Julius  Cagsar,  the  same  author  informs 
us,  that  he  was  originally  of  a  slender  habit  of  body, 
had  a  soft  and  white  skin,  was  troubled  with  pains  in 
his  head,  and  subject  to  epilepsy;  but,  by  continual 
marches,  coarse  diet,  and  frequent  lodging  in  the  fields, 
he  struggled  against  these  diseases  ;  and  used  war,  and 
the  exercises  and  iiardships  therewith  connected,  as 
the  best  medicine  against  these  indispositions.  —  Sir 
John  Sinclair. 


OF     HEALTH. 


45 


constitution  by  habits  of  activity  while  they 
are  young.  The  organs  are  properly  de- 
veloped, and  confirmed  in  healthy  action. 
Secondly,  they  do  not  break  down  their 
strength  by  luxurious  ways  of  living,  and 
the  free  use  of  stimulant  drinks,  in  early 
age.  Thirdly,  which  is  the  great  secret, 
they  live  most  abstemiously.  The  diges- 
tive organs  are  not  overburdened  with  food, 
and  stand  not  in  need  of  extraordinary  ef- 
forts to  relieve  them. 

Let  those  who  are  compelled  to  sedentary 
pursuits,  seasonably  lay  aside  one  third  of 
their  ordinary  food  ;  and  they  will  experi- 
ence no  loss  of  time  in  combating  the  horrors 
of  dyspepsia. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  Philadelphia  Peni- 
tentiary, confined  to  a  uniform  regimen, 
which  of  course  limits  itself,  enjoy  uninter- 
rupted health.  Those  who  were  diseased 
from  bad  habits  before  they  became  its 
tenants,  are  effectually  cured  after  a  short 
residence  there. 

Regulation  of  the  food  is  of  primary  con- 
sequence towards  the  formation  of  a  good 
constitution.     The  most  common  error  in 


46  THE    PRESERVATION 

relation  to  it,  consists  in  the  use  of  too  much 
food.  Nature  has  given  us  organs  of  a  cer- 
tain capacity,  on  the  presumption  that,  being 
called  on  to  manual  labor,  we  should  then 
require  a  large  quantity  of  food.  Muscular 
effort  exhausts  the  strength,  and  requires 
renovation  by  nutritious  substances ;  but 
when  the  muscular  efforts  are  small,  the 
quantity  of  nourishment  required  is  com- 
paratively trifling  ;  and  if,  in  consequence 
of  the  appetite,  a  large  quantity  is  taken, 
the  result  will  be  pernicious,  directly  or 
indirectly.  Parents  are  uneasy  when  their 
children  eat  bat  little,  and  would  encourage 
them  to  eat  against  their  inclination.  No 
mistake  can  be  more  pernicious  to  health ; 
and  if  persevered  in,  disease  will  infallibly 
result  from  it.  When  the  child  wants  ap- 
petite, instead  of  being  compelled  to  take 
food,  it  must  be  compelled  to  take  exercise, 
unless  positively  ill,  and  then  it  must  be 
compelled  to  take  medicine. 

The  quantity  of  liquid  given  to  young 
persons  is  decidedly  injurious.  The  prin- 
cipal agent  in  the  digesting  process,  is  a 
solvent  juice.     The  more  this  is  diluted 


OF    HEALTH. 


47 


with  fluids,  the  weaker  it  is,  and  the  less 
perfect  the  digestive  action.  Animal  food 
should  be  sparingly  taken  by  young  persons 
who  use  little  exercise  ;  and  children  gen- 
erally do  not  need  it.  Bread  and  milk,  and 
fruit  are  the  best  articles  for  those  who  do 
not  labor.  Wine  is  highly  pernicious  to 
young  persons.  It  is  a  slow  but  certain 
poison.  Before  the  body  has  attained  its 
full  growth,  there  is  an  overplus  of  excita- 
bility ;  and  if  to  this  is  added  the  powerful 
agency  of  wine,  or  any  other  stimulating 
drink,  the  constitution  cannot  fail  to  be 
hurt.  Females  are  more  injured  by  stimu- 
lating drinks  than  males,  because  their 
system  is  more  susceptible  of  physical  ex- 
citement. The  nervous  power  is  more  ener- 
getic ;  the  pulse  and  respiration  are  quicker  ; 
and  the  developement  of  animal  heat  greater. 
Hence,  I  suppose,  it  is,  that  they  require 
less  covering  in  cold  weather ;  and  sufler 
more  inconvenience  from  the  heat,  than  the 
other  sex. 

Females  are  unfortunately  compelled  by 
fashion  to  adopt  partial  and  unequal  cover- 
ings of  the  body.     A  part  of  the  chest  is 


48  THE    PRESERVATION 

very  much  covered,  while  another  part  is 
wholly  exposed.  The  dangers  which  spring 
from  fashion  are  more  easily  pointed  ont, 
than  avoided.  They  serve  at  least  to  place 
in  a  clearer  light  the  necessity  of  inuring 
young  females  to  exposure,  and  invigorating 
them  by  exercise. 

There  is  one  part  of  female  dress,  the 
dangers  of  which  have  been  made  known, 
but  which  still,  I  fear,  continues  to  be 
practised  ;  I  mean  the  girting  the  chest. 

In  what  notions  of  beauty  this  practice 
took  its  origin,  I  am  unable  to  discover. 
The  angular  projections  formed  by  a  tightly 
drawn  cord,  are  in  direct  opposition  to  the 
models  of  Grecian  or  Roman  beauty.  In 
the  flowing  robes  of  the  Juno,  the  Vesta 
and  Diana,  every  part  is  light  and  graceful. 
Nor  have  I  been  able  to  discover,  in  the 
representation  of  the  Muses  or  the  Graces, 
any  habiliment  which  would  lead  us  to 
believe  they  wore  stays  or  corsets.  The 
taste  of  the  other  sex  is  uniformly  opposed 
to  the  wasp-like  waist  and  the  boarded 
chest.  Yet,  strange  as  it  seems,  there  is 
scarcely  a  young  lady  of  fifteen,  who  has 


OF    HEALTH.  49 

not  imbibed  a  disposition  for  this  species  of 
application,  and  scarcely  a  well  dressed  lady 
of  any  age,  whose  chest  is  not  confined  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  impede  the  motions  of 
respiration  and  the  free  use  of  the  muscles 
of  the  upper  extremities.  It  is  true,  we  are 
constantly  told  that  they  are  uncomfortable 
without  these  appendages ;  but  this  only 
shows,  what  great  inconveniences  we  can, 
by  habit,  become  accustomed  to.  The 
Indian  nations,  who  consider  the  flattened 
forehead  to  be  a  beauty,  confine  the  heads 
of  their  infants  between  two  pieces  of  board 
corded  together,  and  the  child  exists  under 
this  pressure  and  may  grow  up.  Yet  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  diseases  are  generated 
by  it ;  that  some  lose  their  lives  and  others 
their  intellects.  Still  the  fashion  continues 
from  age  to  age  ;  for  I  have  now  in  my  pos- 
session flattened  heads,  which  must  have 
lived  some  hundreds  of  years  since,  and 
others  which  have  belonged  to  individuals 
of  the  existing  generation. 

Nature  has  so  contrived  the  human  chest 
that  there  is  no  superfluous  play  of  the  parts 
composing  it.     Its  movements  are  just  suf- 
5 


50  THE    PRESERVATION 

ficicnt  to  give  such  an  expansion  to  the 
kings  and  such  an  extent  of  oxygenation  of 
the  blood,  as  are  adequate  to  the  wants  of 
the  individual,  under  different  occurrences. 
In  females,  the  chest  is  shorter  than  in 
males ;  and  to  compensate  for  this,  the 
motion  of  the  ribs  is  naturally  more  exten- 
sive and  more  frequent.  Whatever  limits 
this  motion,  is  therefore  peculiarly  injurious 
to  the  sex  ;  especially  as  they  are  more  dis- 
posed to  consumption,  and  other  chronic 
affections  of  the  lungs.  Now,  the  ligatures 
in  the  fashionable  dress  are  placed  precisely 
on  that  part,  where  the  motion  should  be 
greatest ;  that  is,  below  the  middle  of  the 
chest.  It  is  precisely  here,  that,  in  case  of 
fracture  of  the  ribs,  when  we  desire  to  stop 
the  movements  of  the  chest,  we  apply  a 
tight  bandage  ;  — though  rarely  do  we  ven- 
ture to  make  it  so  tight  as  the  ordinary 
corsets.  The  effect  of  such  pressure,  begun 
at  an  early  period  of  life,  will  be  understood 
from  what  has  been  stated  in  regard  to  the 
spine.  The  bones  must  yield  to  it ;  their 
shape  becomes  permanently  altered;  the 
lower   part  of  the  breast  contracted ;  the 


OF     HEALTH.  61 

space  destined  by  nature  for  the  heart  and 
hmgs  diminished ;  and  what  the  fatal  re- 
suhs  of  all  this  on  these  tender  and  vital 
organs  are,  every  day's  experience  shows 
us.  The  intluence  on  the  health,  though 
slow,  is  certain.  It  may  not  at  once  pro- 
duce consum}>tion  ;  but  it  lays  the  founda- 
tion for  ills  it  would  pain  you  to  hear,  and 
me  to  describe.  I  will  only  say,  by  way  of 
specification,  that,  among  other  diseases  of 
which  this  is  the  fruitful  germ,  I  have 
known  three  instances  of  perpetual  head- 
ache, at  last  bringing  on  insanity  and  termi- 
nating in  death.  The  immediate  cause  of 
the  disease  was  the  compression  of  the  heart 
and  great  blood  vessels,  and  the  consequent 
accumulation  of  blood  in  the  head. 

As  young  ladies  are  disposed  to  this  prac- 
tice, probably  by  fancies  communicated  by 
their  companions,  those  who  have  charge 
of  them,  should  not  only  prohibit  these  ap- 
plications—  they  should,  for  themselves, 
observe  whether  anything  is  wrong ;  and 
after  the  young  ladies  have  reached  the  age 
when  dress  is  considered  a  primary  object, 
they  should   resolutely  oppose    every  en- 


52  THE     PRESERVATION 

croachment  on  the  rights  of  the  vital  organs, 
beyond  what  is  required  by  a  decent  atten- 
tion to  the  prejudices  of  the  day.* 

If  I  might  call  your  attention  to  other 
topics  of  interest  connected  with  this  sub- 
ject, I  should  advert  to  the  constant  use  of 
cold  bathing,  especially  the  shower-bath,  as 
very  conducive  to  invigoration  of  the  body, 
and  to  lessening  the  susceptibility  to  the 
injurious  effects  of  cold  on  the  surface  of 
the  skin.  I  would  speak  of  the  advantages 
of  regular  frictions  over  the  whole  surface, 
and  especially  the  chest  and  the  neck,  those 
parts,  which  are  constantly  to  be  exposed 
to  the  air.  The  judicious  use  of  the  voice 
by  reading  aloud,  I  should  highly  commend. 
It  invigorates  the  lungs,  and  gives  action  to 
the  whole  digestive  apparatus  ;  but  I  should 
not  speak  so  favorably  of  singing  —  a  de- 
lightful accomplishment,  indeed,  but  only 

*  Since  this  was  written,  the  practice  of  tight  lacing 
has  diminished,  and  we  now  and  tiicn  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  the  female  form  in  a  dress,  which  does 
not  conceal  its  natural  symmetry  and  grace.  It  would 
be  tliougiit  singular,  if  this  pernicious  practice^  thus 
becoming  unfasliionuble  in  the  one  sex,  should  have 
been  adopted  by  the  other. 


OF     HEALTH.  53 

to  be  pursued  by  those  whose  chests  are 
ample,  and  pulmonary  organs  vigorous. 
These  subjects  I  can  barely  allude  to,  with- 
out entering  into  the  details  of  their  par- 
ticular application,  having  extended  these 
remarks  much  beyond  my  original  design. 
Let  me  conclude  by  intreating  your  at- 
tention to  a  revision  of  the  existing  plans 
of  education,  in  what  relates  to  the  preser- 
vation of  health.  Too  much  of  the  time 
of  the  better  educated  part  of  young  persons, 
is,  in  my  humble  opinion,  devoted  to  literary 
pursuits  and  sedentary  occupations ;  and 
too  little  to  the  acquisition  of  the  corporeal 
powers  indispensable  to  make  the  former 
practically  useful.  If  the  present  system 
does  not  undergo  some  change,  1  much  ap- 
prehend we  shall  see  a  degenerate  and 
sinking  race,  such  as  came  to  exist  among 
the  higher  classes  in  France,  before  the 
revolution,  and  such  as  now  deforms  a  large 
part  of  the  noblest  families  in  Spain ;  *  but 

*  I  am  inTormed,  by  a  lady  who  passed  a  long  time 
at  the  Spanish  court,  in  a  distinguished  situation,  that 
tlie  Grandees  have  deteriorated  by  tiieir  iiabits  of  living, 
and  the  restriction  of  intermarriages  to  their  own  rank, 

5* 


54  THE    PRESERVATION 

if,  as  I  trust  it  will,  the  spirit  of  improve- 
ment, so  happily  awakened,  continue  to 
animate  those  concerned  in  the  formation 
of  the  young  members  of  society,  we  shall 
soon  be  able,  I  doubt  not,  to  exhibit  an 
active,  beautiful,  and  wise  generation,  of 
which  the  age  may  be  proud. 


1.  DIGESTION. 

The  renovation  of  organized  structures  is 
accomplished  by  the  process  of  digestion. 
This,  whether  it  take  place  in  vegetables 
or  animals,  is  effected  by  the  assimilation  of 
external  substances  constituting  the  food, 
which  is  appropriated  to  the  structure  to  be 
repaired. 

The  digestive  organs  are  very  simple  in 
vegetables.  Food  is  taken  from  the  earth 
by  the  radicles  of  the  plant,  circulated  in  its 
vessels,  elaborated  or  digested  in  its  leaves, 
and  sent  to  the  different  parts  of  the  plant 
for  their  support  and  development.    In  most 

to  a  race  of  dwarfs,  and,  tliough  fine  persons  are  some- 
times seen  among  lliem,  they,  when  assembled  at  court, 
appear  to  be  a  group  of  mannikins. 


OF    HEALTH.  55 


animals  the  apparatus  of  digestion  is  much 
more  complicated.  In  the  lower  classes  it 
is  in  truth  but  little  more  complex  than  in 
vegetables,  but  in  the  higher  animals,  and 
in  man,  it  forms  one  of  the  most  extensive 
parts  of  the  animal  economy. 

The  primary  and  most  essential  portion 
of  the  digestive  apparatus  in  man  is  the 
stomach.  Into  this  cavity  articles  of  food 
are  introduced  in  great  variety,  and  these 
in  the  course  of  a  few  hours  are  gradually 
dissolved.  The  power,  by  which  this  solu- 
tion is  accomplished,  has  been  ascertained 
to  be  a  liquid  exuded  from  the  coats  of 
the  stomach,  similar  in  its  aspect  to  liquid 
saliva,  and  which  has  been  denominated 
the  gastric  fluid  or  juice.  The  experiments 
of  Spalanzani,  Stevens,  and  others,  and 
finally  those  of  Dr.  Beaumont  on  Alexis  St. 
Martin,  an  individual,  who  had  an  aperture 
in  his  stomach  from  an  accidental  wound, 
have  proved,  that  when  food  was  introduced 
into  an  empty  stomach,  this  exudation  was 
seen  to  take  place,  in  proportion  to  the 
quantity  of  food  received  into  the  organ, 
within  certain  limits.     The  food,  brought 


56  THE    PRESERVATION 

in  contact  with  the  interior  of  the  stomach 
by  the  action  of  its  muscular  coat,  and  by 
the  movements  of  respiration,  is  attacked  by 
this  hquid  in  successive  portions,  and  grad- 
ually melted  into  a  homogeneous  mass. 

In  a  healthy  stomach  a  moderate  meal  is 
digested  in  four  hours,  and  then  the  food  is 
pushed  by  the  stomach  into  the  duodenum, 
a  sort  of  second  stomach,  in  which,  and  in 
the  tube  below,  the  nutritious  liquid  is  first 
separated  from  the  solid  part  of  the  food, 
then  absorbed,  and  carried  into  the  blood- 
vessels, and  circulated  through  every  part 
of  the  animal  body.  So  that  it  may  be 
said,  that  the  whole  of  the  drink  taken  into 
the  stomach,  and  a  considerable  part  of  the 
solid  food,  ultimately  make  their  way  into 
the  blood-vessels,  and  are  circulated  through- 
out the  animal  system. 

It  has  been  also  observed,  that  when 
liquids  were  taken  into  the  stomach  at  the 
same  time  with  solids,  the  liquids  were 
separated  from  the  solids,  and  disappeared 
from  the  stomach  in  a  short  time.  Both 
reasoning  and  observation  have  plainly 
shown,  that  while  any  considerable:quantity 


OF     HEALTH.  57 

of  liquid  remains  in  the  stomach,  the  gastric 
fluid  is  too  much  diluted  to  accomplish  the 

solution  of  the  food. 

From  the  facts  above  mentioned  we  con- 
sider it  to  be  established,  that  the  taking  of 
(|uantities  of  liquid  at  the  same  time  with 
solid  food  does  not  promote  the  digestive 
process,  but  interferes  with,  and  suspends  it. 
Hence  the  swallowing  of  large  quantities 
of  fluid  of  any  description,  such  as  wine, 
tea,  coffee,  or  even  water,  is  not  consistent 
with  a  healthy  and  speedy  digestion.  The 
practice  of  drinking  at  our  meals  is  so  uni- 
versal a  custom  as  to  make  it  appear  like  a 
second  nature,  but  it  is  in  fact  contrary  to 
nature.  Animals  do  not  drink  at  the  time 
they  eat,  but  some  hours  after,  and  they 
generally  take  very  small  quantities  of  liquid, 
compared  with  that  which  is  used  by  man. 
The  savage  in  his  native  wilds  takes  his 
solid  food,  when  he  can  obtain  it,  to  satiety, 
reposes  afterwards,  and  then  resuming  his 
chase  through  the  forest,  stops  at  the  rivulet 
to  allay  his  thirst. 

The  disadvantage  of  taking  a  large  quan- 
tity of  liquid  must  be  obvious  to  all  those 


58 


THE    PRESERVATION 


who  consider  that  the  digesting  liquid  is 
dihited  and  weakened,  in  proportion  to  the 
quantity  of  drink.  Children  especially,  are 
much  mismanaged  in  this  particular.  We 
begin  at  an  early  period  of  life  to  drench 
the  stomach  of  a  child  with  large  quantities 
of  milk  and  water,  of  simple  water,  or  of 
some  other  liquid.  The  poor  child  suffers 
from  the  extensive  distention  of  the  stomach 
and  complaining  frequently,  the  mother  pre- 
sumes it  is  affected  with  worms,  and  many 
violent  purges  are  given  to  destroy  these  sup- 
posed invaders.  The  digestive  apparatus 
is  thus  weakened  still  more ;  chyle  is  im- 
perfectly formed,  the  blood  itself  hence  be- 
comes weak  and  impure,  and  in  this  way 
the  seeds  of  scrofula  are  developed. 

All  kinds  of  stimulating  drinks  are  of 
pernicious  effect  in  two  ways  :  1st,  by  di- 
luting the  gastric  fluid,  as  above  stated  ;  2d, 
by  over-stimulating  the  stomach.  When 
food  is  taken  into  the  stomach,  the  inner 
coat  of  the  organ  is  excited,  and  thereupon 
becomes  reddened  from  an  increased  flow 
of  blood  ;  this  is  a  natural  excitment  of  the 
organ.     When   stimulants  of  any  kind  are 


OF    HEALTH.  69 

thrown  into  the  stomach,  it  is  over-excited 
at  the  time,  and,  Hke  all  other  over-excited 
parts,  sulfers  a  proportionate  debility  after- 
wards. If  then  a  quantity  of  alcohol  and 
water,  or  wine,  which  is  a  mixture  of  alco- 
hol, water,  and  some  vegetable  substance, 
are  taken  into  the  stomach  at  the  same  time 
with  the  food,  the  over-excitement  must  be 
injurious.  It  may  not  indeed  produce  im- 
mediate disease,  or  death,  but  it  lays  the 
foundation  for  the  former,  and  shortens  the 
road  to  the  latter.  A  single  excess  or  de- 
bauch takes  off  something  from  life,  and 
when  this  excess  is  frequently  repeated, 
even  if  not  carried  to  habitual  intoxication, 
the  effect  must  be  materially  to  diminish  the 
term  of  existence.  One  of  the  effects  of 
the  over-excitement,  produced  by  stimulant 
licpiid  on  the  inner  coat  of  the  stomach,  is,  a 
separation  of  the  cuticle  or  epithelium, 
which  guards  its  inner  coat,  and  the  forma- 
tion of  little  canker  spots  in  the  interior 
of  this  organ.  This  was  often  observed 
by  Dr.  Beaumont  in  the  stomach  of  St. 
Martin. 

All  alcoholic  drinks  have  the  property  of 


60  THE    PRESERVATION 

preventing  the  decomposition,  and  of  course 
the  digestion  of  food.  This  property  it  is, 
that  enables  us  to  preserve  portions  of  the 
flesh  of  animals,  when  steeped  in  alcohol, 
for  a  great  number  of  years. 

Some  physicians  believe,  that  there  is 
danger  in  suddenly  abandoning  the  use  of 
stimulant  drinks.  Most  of  the  great  Eng- 
lish physicians  appear  to  be  of  this  opinion, 
and  they  seem  to  be  particularly  clear  in 
regard  to  the  ill  consequences  of  the  disuse 
of  ardent  spirits  in  those,  who  have  become 
disordered  by  their  habitual  employment. 
In  this  country,  where  more  has  been  said 
and  done  on  this  subject  than  in  any  other, 
a  very  great  mass  of  experience  has  been 
accumulated.  The  results  of  this  experi- 
ence are,  that  persons  in  health  and  in  dis- 
ease,'  with  certain  exceptions,  may  safely 
break  up  the  habit.  We  know  of  hundreds 
of  instances,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe, 
that  thousands  exist,  of  a  sudden  and  total 
abandonment  of  the  use  of  ardent  spirits, 
and  of  all  the  fermented  liquors,  without  bad 
consequences.  This  mode  has  therefore 
been  adopted  generally,  wherever  the  tem- 


OK     ULALTH. 


61 


perance  reform  has  extended  itself,  in  pref- 
erence to  the  gradual  abandonment  of  these 
drinks. 

This  method  has  been  based  on  a  multi- 
tude of  observations,  tending  to  show,  that 
the  gradual  disuse  of  habitual  stimulants 
can  rarely  be  accomplished.  We  therefore 
always  recommend  to  those  in  health  to 
break  off  the  practice  suddenly  ;  we  also  do 
it  generally  in  cases  of  disease  brought  on 
by  the  use  of  these  articles  ;  and  by  sup- 
porting the  patient  with  small  quantities  of 
'good  nutritious  food,  we  succeed  in  bring- 
ing him  right,  without  resorting  to  the  dele- 
terious lluid.  The  worst  cases  of  this  de- 
scription are  those  of  delirium  tremens 
occurring  in  drunkards  from  violent  injuries, 
such  as  fractures  and  extensive  wounds. 
In  such  instances  the  patient  may  be  saved, 
if  it  is  possible  to  save  him  by  any  means, 
by  the  use  of  opium. 

Without  going  into  further  detail,  we  feel 
quite  authorized  to  state  as  a  general  rule, 
that  the  use  of  wine  and  other  stimulating 
liquids  may  be  suddenly  relinquished  by 
persons  in  health,  without  bringing  on  dis- 
6 


63  THE    PRESERVATION 

ease,  and  that  in  the  greater  number  of 
instances  of  those  disordered  by  them,  there 
is,  on  the  whole,  more  safety  in  abandoning 
than  continuing  the  practice. 

The  quantity  of  drink  required  for  heaUh 
and  comfort  is  very  small.  In  cold  weather 
a  pint  of  liquid  in  twenty-four  hours  is 
sufficient :  in  the  hot  seasons  this  quantity 
may  be  increased,  but  this  increase  is  rarely 
necessary,  when  a  reasonable  amount  of 
fruit  can  be  obtained. 

Moreover,  the  agent  in  the  digestive  pro- 
cess being  a  fluid,  formed  in  limited  quan- 
tity, it  is  obvious,  that  when  the  amount  of 
solid  food  taken  into  stomach  is  too  great 
in  proportion  to  the  quantity  of  this  gastric 
liquid,  the  whole  of  the  solid  cannot  be 
digested  in  time  to  prevent  it  from  under- 
going the  acid  or  putrefactive  fermentation. 
The  fermentation  thus  generated  is  pro- 
ductive of  every  degree  of  suffering,  espe- 
cially a  burning  sensation  in  the  stomach, 
foul  breath,  and  frequent  eructations  of 
offensive  gasses.  Further,  the  existence  of 
a  putrified  mass  in  the  centre  of  the  human 
body  must,  if  it  occur  frequently,  lay  the 
foundation  for  a  great  variety  of  diseases. 


OF    HEALTH.  G3 

The  Autlior  of  Nature  did  not  destine 
his  offspring  to  be  the  victims  of  compli- 
cated and  protracted  diseases.  In  a  state  of 
nature,  disease  is  comparatively  rare  ;  the 
conveniencies  of  social  life,  if  rightly  em- 
ployed, would  aid  us  in  the  prevention  of 
many  of  those  affections,  to  which  the  sav- 
age state  is  obnoxious.  So  that,  instead  of 
being  less  healthy  than  in  a  state  of  nature, 
we  might  be  more  so.  To  attain  such  a 
state,  however,  we  should  be  compelled  to 
alter  our  habits  to  a  greater  extent,  than 
our  social  organization  would  admit.  This 
change  being  impracticable,  the  next  best 
thing  to  be  done  is,  to  take  into  view,  that 
all  that  part  of  society,  who  are  not  called 
to  daily  and  constant  labor,  constitute  cases 
exceptional  to  those  laws,  which  the  Author 
of  Nature  has  been  pleased  to  establish  for 
the  whole  race.  By  a  due  consideration  of 
this  exceptional  state,  as  applied  to  ourselves, 
and  a  right  accommodation  of  our  habits  to 
this  state,  we  may  prolong  life,  and  avoid 
much  suffering. 

The  quantity  of  food,  then,  is  not  to  be 
regulated  by  our  appetites,  but  by  our  occu- 


64  THE    PRESERVATION 

pations.  A  great  deal  of  exercise  requires 
a  great  deal  of  food,  little  exercise  will 
tolerate  only  a  small  portion  of  food  :  and  if 
we  offend  against  this  rule,  we  must  expect 
to  suffer  some  form  of  disease  sooner  or 
later.  In  a  great  number  of  instances  we  are 
able  to  trace  the  origin  of  diseases,  at  first 
view  not  connected  with  digestion,  to  de- 
rangements of  this  function.  In  the  course 
of  my  professional  experience,  I  have  had 
occasion  to  witness  many  instances  of  acute 
disease  originating  from  a  single  excess.  A 
person  much  exposed  to  cold  and  wet,  is 
more  liable  to  be  dangerously  affected  after 
taking  an  inordinate  meal.  Some  species 
of  typhus  undoubtedly  begin  in  disorders 
of  the  digestive  apparatus  ;  for  it  has  been 
established  by  Louis  and  others,  that  de- 
rangement of  the  bowels  occasionally  pre- 
cedes the  attack  of  fever,  even  at  some 
distance  of  time.  Gout,  though  generally 
produced  by  combined  excess  in  eating  and 
drinking,  is,  I  have  had  occasion  to  notice, 
often  the  consequence  of  excessive  eating. 
Scrofula  likewise,  though  the  disposition 
to  it  is  generally  hereditary,  may  be  devel- 


OF     HEALTH.  65 

oped  by  an  improper  use  of  food.*  We 
could  go  on,  and  specify  a  great  number  of 
diseases,  which  undoubtedly  take  their  ori- 
gin from  disorders  of  the  stomach,  liver, 
and  intestines,  brought  on  by  the  abuse  of 
food,  i.  e.  by  a  disproportion  between  the 
quantity  of  food  and  the  quantity  of  exer- 
cise. Habitual  temperance  in  the  use  of 
food  is  therefore  indispensable  to  the  healthy 
action  of  the  physical  powers. 

From  the  preceding  remarks  it  appears, 
that  persons  of  different  occupations  require 

*  Sir  James  Clark,  one  of  the  most  able  physicians  of 
.our  times,  in  his  Treatise  on  Pulmonary  Consumption 
and  Scrofulous  Diseases, says,  "  An  imperfect  supply  of 
food,  or  food  of  an  innutritions  quality,  forms  a  very 
efficient  cause  [of  Scrofula,]  although  we  have  rarely 
an  opportunity  of  observing  the  effects  of  this  alone; 
because  when  the  means  of  procuring  proper  nourish- 
ment are  wanting,  other  causes  are  generally  in  action 
at  the  same  time,  such  as  residence  in  ill-ventilated  and 
dark  apartments,  exposure  to  cold  from  imperfect  cloth- 
ing, &c.  ;  all  of  which  arc  often  combined,  and  hence 
more  speedily  effect  the  deterioration  of  the  health. 
But  proper  food,  when  taken  in  excess,  or  when  of  too 
exciting  a  quality,  may  also  induce  tuberculous  cachexia 
in  youth,  — a  circumstance  which  is  not  sudiciently  at- 
tended to, — I  may  say  not  generally  understood,  even 
by  medical  men  ;  nevertlielcss  I  hold  it  to  be  a  frequent 
6* 


66  THE    PRESERVATION 

different  quantities  of  food.  The  point  we 
wish  to  ascertain  is,  what  amount  of  food  is 
necessary  for  those,  who  do  not  live  by 
manual  labor.  Such  persons  generally  con- 
sume three  or  four  pounds  in  a  day.  That 
this  quantity  is  too  great,  there  can  be  no 
doubt,  and  of  this  a  distinct  proof  is  found 
in  the  following  fact.  The  seamen  in  the 
British  Navy  were  formerly  allowed  to  eat 
as  much  as  they   desired  ;   of  late   years, 

cause  of  Scrofula.  Tlie  adaptation  of  the  food,  in  quality 
and  quantity,  to  the  age  of  tlie  individual,  as  well  as  to 
the  powers  of  the  digestive  organs,  is  too  little  consid- 
ered, and  the  evil  consequencesof  this  neglect  are  often 
evinced  in  the  children  of  the  wealthy  classes,  who  are 
frequently  allowed  an  unrestricted  use  of  the  most  ex- 
citing kinds  of  animal  food,  tlian  which  there  cannot 
be  a  greater  error.  By  a  too  stimulating  diet  at  this 
early  age,  the  digestive  organs  become  over  excited  ; 
the  biliary  and  other  secretions  connected  with  diges- 
tion are  diminished;  congestion  of  the  abdominal  cir- 
culation ensues  ;  and  the  skin,  sympathising  with  the 
irritation  of  the  internal  surfaces,  becomes  dry  and 
harsh,  and  cutaneous  eruptions,  or  copious  perspiration 
are  common  consequences.  The  ultimate  effect  is  often 
tuberculous  disease,  which  is  generally  attributed  to  im- 
perfect nourishment ;  and  on  this  erroneous  view  steel 
and  other  tonics  and  stimulants  are  often  prescribed,  by 
which  the  evil  is  increased." 


OF     HEALTH.  67 

however,  the  quantity  of  food  has  been 
fixed  at  about  32  oz.,  or  2  lb.  avoirdupois,* 
and  the  result  has  been,  that  a  smaller  num- 
ber have  been  found  upon  the  sick  list  since 
the  introduction  of  this  regulation.  If  then 
the  laborious  British  seamen  can  be  kept  in 
the  best  possible  condition  by  two  pounds, 
or  two  pounds  and  a  quarter,  of  solid  food, 
certainly  a  much  less  quantity  would  be 
proper  for  a  gentleman  in  England,  or  in 
this  country.  This  quantity  we  might  fix 
perhaps  at  from  one  pound  to  one  and  a 
half.  It  is  said,  and  I  apprehend  on  very 
good  authority,  that  the  soldiers  of  the 
•American  army  are  allowed  not  less  than 
four  pounds  of  solid  and  four  pounds  of 
liquid  a  day.  What  a  multitude  of  diseases 
in  our  Army  might  be  traced  to  this  boun- 
tiful supply  of  food  ! 

2.  EXERCISE. 

The  remarks  on  exercise  are  sufllciently 
extended  in  the  text  for  the  general  objects 
of  society,  but  there  is  a  class,  which  has 
risen  into  existence  within  a  few  years,  to 

"  Vide  Carpenter's  Human  Physiology,  p.  .'582. 


CS  THE    TRESERVATION 

whose  condition  I  feel  myself  called  on  to 
advert.  A  large  number  of  persons  in  this 
country  have  lately  engaged  in  the  labor  of 
of  manufactories.  The  establishments,  in 
which  these  labors  are  carried  on,  are,  it  is 
well  known,  better  regulated  than  those  in 
the  Old  World,  and  the  amount  of  health 
of  the  individuals  employed  in  them  is  un- 
doubtedly greater.  The  operatives  necessa- 
rily employ  sufficient  bodily  exercise. 

Notwithstanding  these  favorable  circum- 
stances, no  one,  I  think,  will  maintain, 
that  they  possess  so  robust  an  appearance, 
and  enjoy  so  high  a  degree  of  health,  as  do 
the  members  of  families,  both  male  and 
female,  who  are  occupied  in  the  pursuits  of 
agriculture.  The  difference  in  the  influ- 
ence of  these  occupations  is  attributable  to 
the  difference  in  the  variety  of  labor,  and 
to  that  in  the  atmosphere  which  is  respired 
by  these  classes.  As  to  the  former  of  these 
circumstances,  no  important  changes  can  be 
expected,  but  in  the  latter  much  improve- 
ment may  be  made. 

The    operatives    in    our  manufactories, 
especially  females,  ought  to  form  and  pur- 


OF    HEALTH.  60 

sue  a  regular  plan  of  exercise  in  the  open 
air  during  the  intervals  of  labor.  This 
plan,  I  am  aware,  will  seem  to  impose  on 
them  an  additional  burden,  but  the  prac- 
tical etfect  wonld,  I  am  confident,  be  bene- 
ficial. A  walk  abroad  two  or  three  times 
in  the  day,  at  all  seasjons,  would  bring  into 
action  other  muscles  than  those,  which  are 
usually  exerted  in  their  daily  toil,  wonld 
give  fresh  vigor  to  the  circulation  of  the 
blood,  and  inspire  them  with  new  cheerful- 
ness in  their  monotonous  routine.  In  this 
M'-ay  it  may  be  hoped  that  an  impending 
physical  degeneration  may  be  avoided  in  a 
large  and  interesting  portion  of  our  society.* 

*  I  deem  it  right  to  say,  that  on  making  tlie  reflec- 
tions above  stated  to  my  friend,  William  Applcton,  Esq. 
on  vviiose  experience  and  power  of  observation  I  liave 
great  confidence,  lie  remarked,  that  it  seemed  to  him 
quite  impracticable  for  tiic  fatigued  operative  to  take 
additional  exercise  of  any  description.  There  is  much 
ground  for  this  opinion,  no  doubt ;  still  I  cannot  but 
hope,  that  iho  plan  I  have  recommended  may  be  prac- 
tised on  in  a  great  number  of  cases. 


70  THE    PRESERVATION 

3    MODE  OF  SLEEPING. 

« 

The  manner  in  which  children  sleep,  will 
readily  be  acknowledged  to  be  important, 
yet  very  little  attention  is  paid  to  this  mat- 
ter. Children  are  crowded  together  in  small 
and  unventilated  rooms,  often  two  or  three 
in  a  bed,  and  on  beds  composed  of  half 
prepared  feathers,  from  which  issues  a  nox- 
ious effluvia,  infecting  the  child  at  a  period 
when  he  is  least  able  to  resist  its  influence. 
So  that  in  the  morning,  instead  of  feeling 
the  full  refreshment  and  vigor  natural  to 
the  age,  he  is  pale,  languid,  and  for  some 
time  indisposed  to  active  exertion. 

The  rooms  in  which  children  are  brought 
up,  should  be  well  aired,  by  having  a  fire- 
place, which  should  be  kept  open  the  greater 
part  of  the  year.  There  never  should  be 
more  than  one  in  the  same  bed,  and  this 
remark  may  be  applied  with  equal  proprie- 
ty to  adults.  The  substance  on  which  they 
lie,  should  be  hair,  thoroughly  prepared,  so 
that  it  shall  have  no  bad  smell  ;  in  winter 
it  may  be  of  cotton,  or  of  hair  and  cotton. 
It  would  be  very  desirable,  however,  when- 


OF    HEALTH.  71 

ever  practicable,  to  place  them  in  separate 
apartments,  as  well  as  se])arate  beds. 

It  has  been  just  said,  that  adults  as  well 
as  children  had  better  employ  single  instead 
of  double  beds;  this  remark  is  intended  to 
apply  miiversally.  The  use  of  double  beds 
has  been  very  generally  adopted  in  this 
country,  perhaps  in  ])art  as  a  matter  of 
economy,  but  this  practice  is  objectionable 
for  more  reasons  than  can  be  stated  here. 
Two  or  three  may,  however,  be  given. 

1.  The  interference  of  one  individual 
with  the  tranquility  of  the  other. 

2.  The  inhalation  of  matters  excreted  by 
the  breath  and  by  the  skin. 

3.  The  connnunication  of  cutaneous  dis- 
eases, and  even  of  insects,  such  as  ascarides, 
and  other  vermin,  from  one  to  the  other. 

4.  There  are  moral  considerations,  of  a 
high  order,  which  are  opposed  to  the  com- 
mon arrangement. 

4  THE  EXTERNAL  USE  OF  WATER. 

In  this  discourse  I  liave  strongly  recom- 
mended the  external  use  of  cold  water,  and 
especially  of  the  shower  bath.  Since  it  was 


72  THE    PRESERVATION 

delivered,  the  employment  of  cold  water  ex- 
ternally in  this  country  has  been  very  much 
extended  ;  the  shower  bath  especially  has 
been  introduced  into  a  great  number  of  fam- 
ilies. There  is  room,  hoAvever,  for  a  very 
great  extension  of  this  practice,  and  a  sense 
of  its  utility  leads  me  to  make  some  further 
remarks  on  it. 

The  application  of  cold  water  to  the 
human  body  is  beneficial  principally  in  two 
ways  ;  first,  as  a  purifier ;  second,  as  a  tonic  ; 
1st,  it  purifies  the  body  by  removing  from 
its  surface  those  excretions,  which  are  con- 
tinually poured  out.  The  skin  is  an  outlet, 
by  which  are  discharged  matters  necessary 
to  be  thrown  out  of  the  system,  for  if  re- 
tained, they  would  produce  disease.  These 
matters  cause  an  incrustation  over  the  sur- 
face of  the  skin,  and  this  to  a  certain  extent 
obstructs  the  little  orifices,  through  which 
these  exhalations  take  place.  Physicians 
and  surgeons  are  in  the  habit  of  observing 
deplorable  instances  of  filthy  concretions  on 
the  skin  of  poor  patients,  and  this  kind  of 
neglect,  imfortunately,  is  not  wholly  con- 
fined to  the  lower  classes. 


OF    HEALTH.  73 

Besides  these  exhalations,  the  surface  of 
the  skin  becomes  more  or  less  charged  witii 
cuticular  exfoliations,  which  ought  to  be 
daily  removed.  The  linen  taken  from  the 
body  of  a  poor  person  is  sometimes  seen  to 
shed  a  shower  of  llakes  of  separated  cu- 
ticle. The  regular  removal  of  these  sub- 
stances not  only  gives  a  more  free  outlet  to 
cutaneous  exhalation,  but  the  act  by  which 
they  are  removed,  also  serves  to  promote 
the  healthy  action  of  the  capillary  vessels 
of  this  organ. 

2d.  The  eflect  of  cold  water  as  a  tonic 
is  well  known.  The  refreshing  influence 
of  water  applied  to  the  face,  neck,  hands,  and 
arms,  is  a  matter  of  general  experience. 
The  operation  of  cold  water,  applied  to  the 
whole  surface  of  the  body,  is  to  produce  an 
agreeable  and  refreshing  sensation.  This 
is  followed  by  a  glow  more  or  less  consid- 
erable, depending  partly  upon  the  difference 
between  the  temperature  of  the  water  and 
that  of  the  body,  and  partly  on  the  state  of 
the  body  itself,  to  which  the  application  is 
made.  Immersion  of  the  hand,  or  any  other 
part  of  the  body,  in  cold  weather  in  tepid 
7 


74  THE    PRESERVATION 

water  is  followed  by  a  sense  of  chilliness, 
while  immersion  of  the  same  part,  for  a 
limited  time,  in  iced  water  is  followed  by  a 
sensation  of  positive  heat.  Immersion  of  a 
part,  or  the  whole  of  the  body  in  cold  water 
causes  an  increase  of  vigor.  This  is  par- 
ticularly obvious  in  hot  weather.  When 
one,  who  is  exhausted  with  heat  and  fatigue, 
plunges  into  the  cold  water,  or  receives  the 
affusion  of  it  over  the  whole  surface  of  the 
body,  the  languid  frame  is  immediately 
invigorated  and  prepared  for  new  labors. 
This  change  is  probably  attributable  to  a 
uniform  contraction  of  the  small  vessels,  and 
a  more  regular  flow  of  blood  through  the 
relaxed  organs,  thus  reviving  their  vigor. 

In  the  same  way  congestions,  by  which 
the  vital  actions  are  impeded,  are  removed, 
and  this  not  only  in  the  external  or  cutane- 
ous portion  of  the  body,  but  also  by  the 
reflex  nervous  action  of  Dr.  Marshall  Hall, 
or  sympathy  as  it  has  been  formerly  called, 
in  the  great  central  organs,  the  heart,  lungs, 
stomach  and  intestines.  Thus  a  great  many 
diseases  may  be  removed  in  the  incipient 
stage  ;  for  vascular  congestions,  or  accumu- 


OF    HEALTH,  tO 

lations  of  blood  in  particular  vessels,  by 
which  the  circulation  is  obstructed,  consti- 
tute the  origin  of  a  great  number  of  diseases. 
All  those  who  have  been  in  the  habit  of 
using  cold  water  know,  that  an  incipient 
catarrhal  affection  often  disappears  on  its 
judicious  application  to  the  surface  of  the 
body.  This  disease  is  a  congestion  of  the 
blood  in  the  vessels  of  the  membrane  lining 
the  nostrils,  trachea,  and  lungs,  arising  in 
this  instance  from  the  application  of  cold 
air  to  the  surface  of  the  body.  When  cold 
water  is  applied  to  the  skin  it  produces  in- 
creased circulation  in  this  part,  and  the 
blood  is  thus  diverted  from  the  internal 
organs.  A  similar  train  of  occurrences  takes 
place  in  the  germination  of  many  diseases. 
The  effect  of  the  judicious  application  of 
cold  water  to  the  surface  of  the  body  is, 
therefore,  to  relieve  temporary  languor,  re- 
move incipient  disease,  and  give  permanent 
tone  to  the  animal  system. 

It  will  naturally  be  asked,  what  mode  is 
the  best  for  the  application  of  cold  Avater  ^ 
Sponging  the  body  over  with  the  coldest 
water  is  a  very  convenient  mode,  and  one 


76  THE    PRESERVATION 

which  may  be  resorted  to  with  great  facihty. 
Tiie  use  of  the  cold  hip-bath  is  valuable  for 
affections  of  the  back,  and  of  the  organs  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  trunk  of  the  body.  A 
sudden  plunge  of  the  feet  into  cold  water 
removes  swelling  of  the  veins  and  absorb- 
ent vessels,  and  prevents  accumulations  in 
the  cellular  membrane. 

I  am  inclined  to  think,  that  the  most  con- 
venient and  efficient  mode  of  producing  the 
beneficial  effects  of  cold  water  on  the  whole 
body  is  by  the  shower  bath.  This  was 
recommended  by  me  in  the  preceding  lec- 
ture of  1830,  and  all  that  I  have  seen  of  its 
effects  since  that  time,  has  led  me  to  the 
belief  that  it  has  an  efficacy  superior  to  that 
of  other  modes.  The  impulse  of  the  water 
gives  a  general  shock  to  the  system,  causes 
a  sensible  increase  of  strength  at  the  mo- 
ment, and  is  followed,  when  the  water  is 
sufficiently  cold,  by  a  general  and  delight- 
ful glow.  In  hot  weather,  I  personally 
employ  the  shower-bath  with  great  free- 
dom ;  I  resort  to  it  three  or  four  times  a 
day,  and  find  it  to  produce  great  refresh- 
ment from  the  debilitating  effects  of  heat.  I 


OF    HEALTH.  77 

am  not  able  to  ascertain  the  extent  of  the 
use  of  cold  affusion  among  our  countrymen 
in  the  south,  but  I  have  no  doubt,  that  re- 
lief might  be  obtained  from  the  effects  of 
excessive  heat  by  a  frequent  judicious  resort 
to  this  delightful  application. 

The  use  of  the  douche  is  worthy  of  some 
remark.  This  is  a  continuous  stream  of 
water  poured  with  a  certain  degree  of  force 
on  some  one  part  of  the  body.  It  is  gene- 
rally used  for  medicinal  purposes,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  powerful  remedies  for  the 
relief  of  many  local  diseases.  But  it  may 
also  be  employed  as  a  means  of  invigorat- 
ing a  weak  part  of  the  body,  and  is  there- 
fore particularly  useful  in  weakness  of 
the  back  and  of  the  limbs,  especially  the 
joints,  of  the  eyes,  etc.  A  continuous  fine 
stream  of  cold  water,  driven  upon  the  naked 
eyeball,  is  submitted  to  after  one  trial  with- 
out any  reluctance,  and  is  a  most  efficient 
application  for  weakness  of  the  eyes  and 
chronic  inflammation.  The  douche  is  easily 
arranged  by  connecting  a  flexible  tube,  with 
a  stop-cock,  from   ten  to  twenty  feet  in 

length  with  a  reservoir  placed  at  that  dis- 

7* 


78  THE    PRESERVATION 

tance  above  it.  This  reservoir  may  be  a 
cask,  a  cistern,  or  any  other  convenient  re- 
ceptacle. I  have  recommended  the  douche 
with  a  degree  of  advantage  in  many  inter- 
nal as  well  as  external  weaknesses. 

For  children,  either  the  shower-bath,  or 
the  sponge-bath  is  convenient,  beginning 
at  the  earliest  period  of  life.  The  infant 
thus  becomes  accustomed  to  have  its  head 
wet,  and  the  habit  being  formed  no  incon- 
venience results  from  the  retention  of  moist- 
ure in  the  hair,  though  this  should  be  re- 
moved by  friction  with  cloths  and  brush- 
es, as  soon  as  practicable.  The  dipping, 
although  some  children  bear  it  well,  gene- 
rally produces  alarm  and  aversion,  while 
the  other  plans  gradually  become  grateful 
and  desirable  to  the  child. 

Of  late  years  the  apprehension  of  the 
external  use  of  cold  water  has  greatly  di- 
minished, and  this  practice,  the  result  of 
advanced  civilization,  has  very  much  in- 
creased. The  institution  of  Preisnitz,  at 
Graeffenburg,  has  done  service,  by  show- 
ing to  what  extent  the  use  of  water  may  be 
carried  without  always  producing  fatal  dis- 


OF    IIEAI.Tn,  7\) 

eases.  In  the  preceding  remarks,  I  do  not 
mean  to  recommend  the  use  of  this  vahia- 
ble  agent  in  the  modes  proposed  by  Preisnitz 
and  his  followers.  I  have  always  advised, 
and  still  advise,  a  very  frequent  use  of  cold 
water,  perhaps  further  experience  may  justify 
the  use  of  it  to  a  greater  extent  than  what 
my  observations  have  hitherto  authorized 
me  to  recommend.* 

5.  FRICTION. 

The  external  use  of  cold  water  almost 
necessarily  involves  that  of  friction,  which 
may  also  be  employed  independently.  The 
object  of  this  is  to  increase  the  flow  of  blood 
to  the  external  parts,  and  thus  to  relieve  the 
internal  organs  of  too  great  an  accumulation 
of  the  circulating  fluid.  It  has  been  already 
stated,  when  speaking  of  the  use  of  water, 
that  congestion  or  inordinate  partial  accu- 

*  Tlie  hydropathic  practice  has  unfortunately  been 
combined  with  horaa3opatliy  in  iliis  part  of  the  coun- 
try. There  is,  however,  no  proper  connection  between 
them.  Hydropatiiy  in  a  reasonable  extent  is  supported 
by  good  sense  and  exact  observation  ;  homa;opaliiy  is 
in  opposition  to  both. 


80  THE    PRESERVATION 

mulation  of  blood  is  the  primary  cause  of 
many  diseases.  An  instance  may  be  speci- 
j&ed  in  the  common  pain  in  the  side.  This, 
we  know,  will,  in  persons  subject  to  it,  be 
brought  on  by  sitting  long  in  a  confined 
posture,  as,  for  example ,  in  writing  for  too 
long  a  time.  It  sometimes  produces  very 
acute  pain,  and  even  may  go  on  to  inflamma- 
tion of  the  pleura.  An  individual  who  is 
affected  in  this  way ,  naturally  applies  his 
hand  to  the  part,  and  attempts  by  friction 
to  dissipate  the  pain.  When  this  is  accom- 
plished, it  is  done  partly  by  exciting  the 
action  of  the  congested  vessels,  and  partly 
by  increasing  the  circulation  in  other  tex- 
tures near  that  affected,  and  thus  abstracting 
the  accumulated  blood  from  the  latter. 
Friction  over  the  general  surface  of  the 
body,  by  equalizing  the  circulation,  con- 
tributes to  its  health  and  vigor  :  by  exciting 
a  uniform  and  healthy  action  in  any  one 
part,  it  serves  to  give  vigor  to  this  part. 

6.  TOBACCO. 

While  the  general  means  for  the  preser- 
vation of  health  have  been  materially  ad- 


OF   HEALTH.  81 

vanced  in  our  society  by  attention  to  exer- 
cise, by  the  external  use  of  cold  water,  by 
moderation  in  food,  by  the  curtailment  of 
dinner  parties,  and  more  especially  by  the 
fast  extension  of  abstinence  from  stimulant 
and  intoxicating  drinks,  there  is  in  one  par- 
ticular a  decided  and  unhappy  deterioration 
of  our  social  habits,  I  refer  to  the  increased 
use  of  tobacco. 

Of  the  three  modes  of  using  tobacco, 
smokinsc  is  that  which  seems  to  have  insin- 
uated  itself  most  extensively  among  the 
young  men  of  our  community.  Tobacco, 
employed  in  this  way,  being  drawn  in  with 
the  vital  breath,  conveys  its  poisonous  influ- 
ence into  every  part  of  the  lungs.  There 
the  noxious  fluid  is  entangled  in  the  minute 
spongy  air-cells,  and  has  time  to  exert  its 
pernicious  influence  on  the  blood,  not  in 
vivifying,  but  in  vitiating  it.  The  blood 
imbibes  the  stimulant  and  narcotic  princi- 
ple, and  circulates  it  through  the  whole 
system.  It  produces  in  consequence  a  febrile 
action  in  most  individuals,  and  especially  in 
those  of  a  delicate  habit.  Where  there  is 
any  tendency  to  phthisis  and  tubercular  de- 


82  THE    PRESERVATION 

posit  in  the  lungs,  the  debility  of  these 
organs,  consequent  on  the  use  of  tobacco 
in  this  way,  must  favor  the  deposit  of  tuber- 
culous matter,  and  thus  sow  the  seeds  of 
consumption.  This  practice  impairs  the 
natural  taste  and  relish  for  food,  lessens  the 
appetite,  and  weakens  the  powers  of  the 
stomach.  As  to  the  pleasure  produced  by 
it,  it  is,  I  believe,  a  well  known  fact,  that 
a  person  smoking  in  the  dark  is  often  unable 
to  determine  whether  his  cigar  is  lighted, 
or  not. 

Snuff  received  into  the  nostrils  to  some 
extent  enters  the  cavities  opening  from  them, 
fills  those  cavities,  and  makes  a  snuff-box  of 
the  olfactory  apparatus.  The  voice  is  con- 
sequently impaired,  sometimes  to  a  remark- 
able degree.  I  knew  a  gentleman  of  the 
legal  profession,  who  from  the  use  of  snuff 
occasionally  lost  the  resonance  of  his  voice, 
and  the  power  of  speaking  audibly  in 
Court.  Moreover,  portions  of  this  powder 
are  conveyed  into  the  lungs  and  stomach, 
and  exert  on  these  organs  their  deleterious 
effects. 

The    worst  form,  in  which  tobacco   is 


OF    HEALTH, 


83 


employed,  is  in  cheiving.  This  vegetable 
is  one  of  the  most  powerful  of  narcotics  ;  a 
very  small  portion  of  it,  say  a  couple  of 
drachms,  and  perhaps  less,  received  into  the 
stomach  might  prove  fatal.  When  it  is 
taken  into  the  mouth  in  smaller  portions, 
and  there  retained  sometime,  an  absorption 
into  the  system  of  part  of  it  takes  place, 
which  has  a  most  debilitating  effect.  If 
we  wished  to  reduce  our  physical  powers 
in  a  slow,  yet  certain  way,  we  could  not 
adopt  a  more  convenient  process  than  that 
of  chewing  tobacco.  Who  is  there  among 
the  chewers  of  tobacco,  who  has  not  felt 
that  deadly  sickness,  which  it  occasionally 
produces  ?  Those  who  have  experienced 
these  effects  will  not,  I  think,  deny  its  great 
power  of  relaxing  the  whole  animal  system. 
The  more  limited  and  local  effects  are 
indigestion,  fixed  pains  about  the  region  of 
the  stomach,  in  some  cases  looseness  of  the 
bowels,  torpor  of  these  parts,  debility  of  the 
back  and  of  the  organs  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  trunk  of  the  body.  In  regard  to  this 
last  point  much  might  be  said  of  a  striking 
character.     To    the   consequences  already 


84  THE    PRESERVATION 

mentioned,  Ave  may  add  affections  of  the 
brain,  producing  vertigo,  (an  effect  well 
known  to  most  of  those  who  are  in  the  habit 
of  chewing  tobacco,)  and  also  affections 
of  the  mouth  generating  cancer. 

Tobacco  is  by  some  persons  recommend- 
ed as  beneficial  to  the  teeth,  but  while  it 
can  have  no  material  effect  in  preserving 
the  bony  substance  of  the  teeth,  it  has  a 
real  influence  on  their  vitality,  by  impair- 
ing the  healthy  action  of  the  gums.  These, 
and  also  the  adjacent  parts,  are  very  subject 
to  cancer,  particularly  the  tongue  and  lips. 
For  more  than  twenty  years  back  I  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  inquiring  of  patients, 
who  came  to  me  with  cancers  of  these 
parts,  whether  they  used  tobacco,  and  if  so, 
whether  by  chewing  or  smoking.  If  they 
have  sometimes  answered  in  the  negative 
as  to  the  first  question,  I  can  truly  say,  that 
to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and  belief, 
such  cases  of  exemption  are  exceptions  to  a 
general  rule.  When,  as  is  usually  the  case, 
one  side  of  the  tongue  is  affected  with  ulcer- 
ated cancer,  the  tobacco  has  been  habitually 
retained   in  contact  with   this  part.     The 


OF     HEALTH. 


85 


irritation  from  a  cigar,  or  even  from  a 
tobacco-pipe,  fretiiiently  precedes  cancer  of 
the  lip.  The  lower  lip  is  more  commonly 
affected  by  cancer  than  the  upper,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  irritation  produced  on  this 
part  by  acrid  substances  from  the  mouth. 
Among  such  substances,  what  is  more  likely 
to  cause  a  morbid  irritation  terminating  in 
disease,  than  the  frequent  application  of 
tobacco  juice  ? 

No  one,  I  suppose,  Avill  understand,  that 
I  intend  to  say,  that  tobacco  is  a  specific 
for   the  production  of  cancer.     I  mean  to 
say,  that  this  substance  by  its  frequent  ap- 
plication irritates  and  diseases  the  parts,  to 
which  it  is  applied,  in  the  same  way  that 
any  other  acrid  substance  would  do  by  very 
frequent  application.     The  want  of  atten- 
tion to  cleanliness    often  connected  with 
this  practice,  and  the  consequent  lodgement 
of  the  particles  of  tobacco  on  the  surface  of 
the   lip  has,  as  already  suggested,  a  great 
influence  in  these  cases.     This  leads  me 
naturally  to   inquire,  whether  those,  who 
have  been  in  the  regular  habit  of  general 
and  exact  cleanliness,  are  so  often  affected 
8 


86  THE    PRESERVATION 

with  external  cancer  as  others  ?  My  expe- 
rience would  lead  me  to  believe  that  they 
are  not  so,  but  I  do  not  feel  myself  author- 
ized to  enter  here  into  details  upon  this 
subject. 

7.  CONCLUSION. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  useful  to  add  some 
hints  in  a  condensed  form  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  health. 

Children,  as  soon  after  birth  as  practica- 
ble, should  be  washed,  or  rather  dashed 
with  a  sponge  and  cold  water  two  or  three 
times  a  day,  and  well  rubbed  afterwards. 
This  practice  is  to  be  continued  summer 
and  winter,  except  in  case  of  illness,  and 
even  in  most  cases  of  febrile  disease  it  may 
be  used  with  advantage  under  medical  di- 
rection. 

The  food  of  young  infants  should  be  ad- 
ministered to  them  at  stated  periods,  and 
not  whenever  they  cry.  Children  very  fre- 
quently cry  from  having  taken  too  much 
food.  A  good  rule  for  general  use  is,  to 
give  nourishment  to  the  child  once  in  about 
three  hours.     From   the  time  of  weaning 


OF     HEALTH. 


87 


until  the  first  dcutitioii  is  over,  their  best 
food  is  bread  and  milk,  coarse  bread  is  bet- 
ter than  fine  in  most  cases.  After  the  first 
dentition  a  greater  variety  of  food  may  be 
employed,  but  animal  food  may  perhaps 
be  advantageously  omitted  until  after  the 
most  critical  period  of  the  second  den- 
tition.* 

Daring  the  time  of  school  education 
every  kind  of  wholesome  food  is  proper, 
but  it  should  be  so  plain  as  not  to  encourage 
the  propensity  to  take  a  greater  quantity 
than  the  power  of  the  stomach  can  control. 
The  disposition  to  drink  should  be  discour- 
aged, and  when  drink  is  employed,  it  should 
be  water.  Sugar  in  the  liquid  and  solid 
form  should  be  avoided  in  a  great  degree. 
The  stomach  will  bear  a  certain  amount  of 
saccharine  matter  without  bad  consequen- 
ces, but  when  this  amount  is  habitually  ex- 
ceeded, the  healthy  state  of  the  blood  be- 

*  The  first  hint,  which  I  received  on  this  point  many 
years  ago,  was  from  my  friend ,  Dr.  James  Jackson,  late 
Profussor  of  Theory  and  Practice  of  Medicine  in  Har- 
vard University, — an  aiUhorily  in  my  estimation  as  higli 
as  that  of  any  living  piiysician. 


88 


THE    PRESERVATION 


comes  impaired.  Moreover,  some  of  the  most 
dangerous  attacks  of  cramp  in  the  stomach 
and  of  colic,  which  I  have  seen,  have  arisen 
from  the  too  free  use  of  sugar  in  various 
forms.  The  sugar  used  in  tea  has  often, 
within  my  knowledge,  been  the  cause  of 
evils  attributed  to  the  injurious  influence  of 
the  tea,  in  which  it  was  conveyed.*  All 
stimulants  should  be  avoided.  Happy  are 
they,  who  have  never  learned  the  use  of 
them  in  any  way!  especially  of  alcohol 
in  its  different  forms  !  their  lives  may  be 

*"  Sugar  exists  in  considerable  qnantitj',  and  but 
Jittle  complicated,  in  many  plants.  Moreover,  the  great- 
er number  of  the  other  saccliarine  principles  are  capable 
of  being  converted  into  crystalized  sugar,  by  artificial 
processes.  Sugar  is  the  only  crystallizable  product 
employed  in  considerable  quantity  as  an  aliment,  and 
by  the  perfectly  healthy  stomach  seems  to  be  readily 
assimilated.  There  are,  however,  certain  states  of  dis- 
ease in  which  this  organ  appears  to  lose,  in  a  great 
measure,  the  power  of  assimilating  this  principle,  and  in 
such  states  of  disease,  sugar  consequently  is  ill  adapted 
as  an  aliment.  Indeed,  on  the  whole,  though  sugar, 
as  we  have  said,  is  capable  of  being  assimilated  in  large 
quantity,  it  is  doubtful  if  mankind  have  been  the  gain- 
ers, except  in  convenience,  by  employing  it  in  a  form  in 
which  it  is  the  furthest  possible  removed  from  organi- 
zation and  life." — On  the  Kature  and  Treatment  of 
Stomach  and  Urinary  Diseases,  etc. ;  hy  \V.  Prout, 
M.  D.  F.  R.  S.  London,  1840,  p.  viii. 


OF    HEALTH.  89 

insured,  and  at  comparatively  a  low  pre- 
mium ! 

Exercise  during  the  early  period  of  life 
should  be  regularly  enforced,  or  rather  the 
natural  disposition  to  exercise  in  young 
children  of  both  sexes,  instead  of  being  re- 
pressed, should  be  encouraged  in  every 
variety  of  form.  Exercise,  when  practica- 
ble, should  take  place  in  the  open  air  ;  even 
young  infants  should  be  carried  into  the  air 
soon  after  birth,  and  should  be  taken  out 
daily.  Every  family  possessed  of  a  moder- 
ate competence  should  have  a  play-room 
devoted  to  the  use  of  their  children  in  bad 
weather.  There  should  be,  during  the  whole 
period  of  their  education  a  balance  between 
the  hours  of  exercise  and  the  hours  of  study  ; 
the  younger  the  subject,  the  greater  must 
be  the  proportion  of  physical  action. 

A  great  number  of  young  persons,  espe- 
cially of  the  male  sex,  lose  their  health  from 
a  vitiated  imagination  ;  the  prevention  and 
cure  of  this  should  be  one  of  the  greatest 
objects  of  attention  to  parents  and  instruc- 
tors. 

When,  by  the  combined  influence  of  na- 
9 


90         THE    PRESERVATION    OF    HEALTH. 

ture  and  education,  the  constitution  has 
become  developed  in  its  full  power  and 
strength,  it  depends  on  the  individual  to 
retain  health  and  avoid  disease.  In  other 
words,  it  may  be  considered  as  a  general 
law,  that  health  may  be  preserved  to  a  late 
period  of  life  by  the  use  of  those  things, 
which  are  friendly,  and  the  avoidance  of 
those  which  are  noxious.  Most  diseases 
are  the  consequences  of  violations  of  the 
laws  of  nature,  sometimes  the  result  of  ig- 
norance, more  frequently  of  inattention. 
Let  there  be  a  due  balance  between  the 
bodily  and  mental  exercise,  I  speak  of  the 
educated  division  of  society,  a  reasonable 
regulation  of  the  amount  of  food  and  drink, 
the  omission  of  all  extra  stimulants,  and  a  re- 
moval by  the  means  indicated  of  all  noxious 
agents,  such,  for  example,  as  a  want  of  per- 
sonal cleanliness,  and  we  might  calculate 
on  avoiding  a  great  number  of  the  diseases 
which  ordinarily  harass  and  shorten  our 
lives ;  we  might,  if  we  escaped  accident, 
expect  to  attain  a  comfortable  old  age,  and 
a  death  free  from  suffering. 


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